Man punches on with father, son in Gold Coast bar

A dad has been warned he needs to keep his alcohol use under control if he wants to stay out of jail, after assaulting two men at a popular Gold Coast bar.

Southport Magistrates Court was told the first victim was trying to intervene in an argument between Jye Barton and another man at Broadbeach’s

Atrium Bar on May 13 last year.

Prosecutor Gavin Reece said the victim was standing between the two men and leaned down to listen to Barton – who told him he “didn’t know who he was messing with” – before he was punched in the face.

Barton struck him numerous times, knocking him to the ground.

Mr Reece said the victim’s father saw his son fall to the ground and turned to Barton, who immediately unleashed several more punches.

The court was told Barton claimed he was defending himself after another person threatened to stab and kill him and spat at him.

Barton was under a ninemonth probation order at the time.

Defence lawyer Sinead Garland, of Potts Lawyers, said the FIFO worker and father was under a significant amount of pressure at the time and now rarely drank at all.

Ms Garland said the 36year-old had since made substantial changes to his life, including completing an anger management course and three alcohol counselling sessions.

Magistrate Joan White said character references spoke highly of Barton but that reoffending while on probation was “very concerning”.

“I can only see from what’s been placed before me that you’ve got a real problem with alcohol,” Ms White said.

“I just hope that you recognise that – it seems that you have.

“I hope that continues because if you don’t, you’re going to have a very miserable life and one day end up in actual jail because of that problem.”

Barton pleaded guilty to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.

He was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to pay a combined $1400 in compensation to his victims. No conviction was recorded.