Man attacks casino patron over ‘threat to brother’

A GOLD Coast man walked up to a stranger at the Star Casino and punched him in the face before repeatedly kicking him because he thought he had threatened his brother.

Nelson Leslie Towns, 24, yesterday pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to assaulting Matthew Greenfield. Prosecutor Bob Falconer read to Southport Magistrates Court a victim impact statement provided by Mr Greenfield following the attack.

“He had constant headaches and he sometimes gets light-headed and loses balance,” Mr Falconer said. Mr Greenfield suffered a cut to the head near his left temple, a bruised nose, scalp and knee from the May 5 attack.

Towns’ brother, Jordan Towns, was also charged with the attack and last week was sentenced to 18 months probation and 100 hours community service.

Mr Falconer told the court in the lead-up to the attack Mr Greenfield had asked Towns and his brother for a cigarette and the pair complied. At about 3.40am Towns and his brother returned to the balcony and spoke briefly with Mr Greenfield before Towns punched him in the face.

Mr Greenfield fell to the ground and the pair began to kick him repeatedly. Defence barrister Bernard Reilly, instructed by Moloney McCallum Lawyers, said Towns was standing up for his brother.

Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan sentenced Towns to two years probation, 150 hours community service and ordered he pay $2000 in compensation.