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Attack on Bunnings worker prompted by fear
A Brisbane Bunnings worker was punched because his attacker was afraid the man would laugh at him, a court has heard.
October 3, 2019
A Brisbane man accused of attacking a Bunnings worker hit his victim twice, breaking his jaw with the second blow, because he feared being laughed at, a court has heard.
While admitting there was a confrontation, however, Alex John Beeston, 32, denies causing the injury.
Brisbane District Court was told on Thursday that 29-year-old Bunnings employee Edward Haynes was standing at a bus stop heading home about 9.30pm when Beeston demanded to see his identification.
Frightened by the behaviour, Mr Haynes attempted to flee but slipped over before Beeston set upon him, prosecutor Douglas Wilson said in his closing remarks.
“He’s asked him some questions, Edward doesn’t answer,” Mr Wilson told the jury.
“(He decides) ‘Oh, well, I better punch him in the face’ and that’s what he does, punches him twice.”
Mr Wilson also reminded the jurors that during the three-day trial Beeston had stated in evidence: “I didn’t want (Mr Haynes) to laugh at me because of that (first) punch (which glanced his nose) … so I punched him again”.
“It’s telling about the conduct of this man,” Mr Wilson said. ” … who behaves in such a way?”
Beeston doesn’t deny punching Mr Haynes but says the blows didn’t break his jaw.
This was done by his companion, Sara Mitchell, when she kicked Mr Haynes, Beeston’s lawyer Jason Buckland said.
The trial continues on Friday with Judge Julie Ryrie to finish briefing the jury before they begin deliberating.