Sorry Tony, I was drunk

Headbutting DJ sought help for drinking, court told

A HOBART man who headbutted Tony Abbott says he was “six out of 10 drunk” at the time — and his lawyer has pointed out to a magistrate that even the former PM said it was a poor headbutt.

Appearing in the Magistrates Court in Hobart yesterday, Astro Labe, 38, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing harm to a commonwealth official.

His lawyer said his client was a “peaceful person” who knew his behaviour was inappropriate, and that he had since sought treatment for his drinking problem. He will be sentenced in March.

A HOBART DJ who assaulted former prime minister Tony Abbott has since sought treatment for his “excessive use of alcohol”, a court has heard.

Appearing in the Magistrates Court in Hobart yesterday before Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly, Astro Labe, 38, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing harm to a commonwealth official.

The court heard Mr Labe had been drinking beer at The Whaler pub in Salamanca Place with friends for about 5 ½ hours on the day of the September 21 assault and rated himself as being six out of 10 drunk.

He told police he had seen Mr Abbott walking into Salamanca Square and he had said to his friends he wanted to headbutt him. When he later saw him leaving, Mr Labe followed the former PM about 250m along Morrison St, asked to shake his hand and then headbutted him.

The prosecution said Mr Labe had said to Mr Abbott that he “f...ing deserved it” as he walked away.

He told police that he thought interviews he did with national media were funny.

The court heard he told media: “I saw Tony Abbott and I’d had half a skinful and I wanted to nut the c...” and that “legally, I’m remorseful”. The self-described lone anarchist said he did not think it was an opportunity he would get again.

The prosecutor described the incident as “an unprovoked, deliberate and intentional physical act that occurred without warning” and that Mr Labe had shown little remorse.

Mr Labe’s lawyer Craig Mackie said his Victorian-born client had lived in Tasmania since 1996, had no significant assets and had never previously assaulted someone.

He said Mr Labe was a peaceful person by nature and had since sought counselling to deal with his “excessive use of alcohol”.

“He has accepted that his behaviour was completely inappropriate and will not happen again,” Mr Mackie said.

Seven character references were supplied for Mr Labe, stating he was not prone to violence. Mr Mackie said Mr Labe’s actions were opportunistic and had caused minimal harm.

“Mr Abbott himself described it as a poor headbutt,” the lawyer said.

Mr Labe was originally charged with one count of common assault, but in October the charge was upgraded to causing harm to a commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a $25,000 fine.

Mr Abbott said at the time Mr Labe, who was wearing a pro-marriage equality sticker, was motivated by the divisive issue. But Mr Labe told media, and his lawyer yesterday reiterated, it was a coincidence he was wearing the sticker.

He was bailed to reappear on March 22 for sentencing.