From a star on the rise to ‘thug’

AN up-and-coming real estate agent has been branded a “thug” after bashing a security guard and then chasing him down as he tried to escape.

Thomas James Fuller (pictured) was drinking in Surfers Paradise on the night of August 7 and spotted a buggy that had been parked by security in an undercover carpark.

Southport Magistrates Court was told the 24-year-old was caught sitting in the buggy by the security guard who had been driving it.

Fuller confronted the guard when he was told to get out of the vehicle, and the altercation escalated. Fuller hit his victim several times.

The 58-year-old security guard was knocked to the ground during the fight.

Fuller followed his victim into a nearby alley.

CCTV footage shows Fuller sprinting at the security guard and tackling him to the ground. Fuller was knocked out as his head hit the concrete, giving the security guard a chance to escape.

The other man was left with facial fractures and cuts.

The court was told Fuller was building a promising career as a real estate agent for Ray White in Sydney and was the primary provider for his children, aged three and twelve weeks.

The NSW man claimed to be suffering extreme financial stress at the time of the incident, an emotional state that was exacerbated by alcohol.

Fuller had engaged with a psychologist and Alcoholics Anonymous to work on healthier coping mechanisms, the court was told.

Magistrate Gary Finger told Fuller it was clear he had a bright future ahead of him, but it was one he would risk losing for good if he committed similar offences again.

“You acted like nothing more than a thug,” he said.

Fuller was sentenced to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for 18 months.

He was also fined $1000 and ordered to pay $2000 compensation to his victim.