Qld: Four men face court over "brutal" pub attack

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2005
Qld: Four men face court over "brutal" pub attack

By Johanna Leggatt

BRISBANE, Aug 24 AAP - Three drunken men launched a brutal attack on four pub employees,
shattering one of their eye sockets, after being refused entry to the hotel, a Brisbane
court has been told.

Brisbane men Scott Aaron Freier, Joshua William Price and Brett Sidney Sargeant, all
26, pleaded guilty in the Queensland District Court today to assaulting bouncers Adrianus
Pemen and Cameron Mathams as well as duty manger Daniel Begley and barman Wayne Francis.

Freier is facing a further charge of grievous bodily harm, to which he also pleaded
guilty, for the king hit he delivered to Mr Pemen which rendered him lifeless on the ground.

The assault at the Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains, south of Brisbane, was captured
on film by security video and played to the court today.

Prosecutor James Godbolt described the attack as "substantial and vicious and brutal"

and said all three men should face a period of imprisonment.

Judge Julie Ryrie adjourned her sentencing until Tuesday.

The court was told Mr Pemen refused the three men entry on December 14, 2003, after
he saw Sargeant urinating against a tree.

The trio then assaulted both Mr Pemen and Mr Mathams. A tape played in court showed
a number of punches being thrown as the bouncers tried to defend themselves.

The men left but returned not long after, and it was then that Freier delivered the
king hit to Mr Pemen, the court was told.

Mr Begley and Mr Francis, who were present in court today, rushed out to help but were
also assaulted.

Mr Pemen's injuries included substantial bruising, a split lip, a depressed left cheek
and a shattered eye socket.

A titanium plate had to be inserted into his cheek to fix the injury.

Mr Mathams, Mr Begley and Mr Francis all suffered cuts and abrasions.

Freier later told police he felt remorse for what he had done.

AAP jtl/wh/lma/sd

KEYWORD: PUB WITH PIX

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.