Scuffle breaks man’s parole
FARREN Shane Byers was told to improve his conflict resolution skills in the Proserpine Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Police prosecutor Acting Senior Constable Tyler Roberts told the court officers were called to Cannonvale Square about 4.10pm on June 17, with a witness reporting a scuffle between two men.
"During the scuffle the defendant punched this male in the face with a closed fist," he said.
"The other male has retreated back inside the shop."
The witness was able to provide a description of Byers, who was arrested on Beach Rd a short time later and made full admissions.
The court also heard Byers was on parole at the time of the incident.
Jennine Kylie, of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Legal Service, said the other man had taken Byers' children without his consent, leading to the scuffle.
She also said Byers had sought help from Whitsunday Crisis and Counselling Service around conflict resolution.
"Rather than go to jail, I think is the subtext here," Magistrate Simon Young said.
Magistrate Young said the offence had happened "only days after being given some significant leniency by the court".
Byers was sentenced to a month in prison, wholly suspended for six months.
