A magistrate has described a Gympie man’s alleged assault of a second man at Curra Estate last night as ‘vigilantism’.
Ryan Samuel Webb appeared in court by video conference from the Gympie Watchhouse yesterday, charged with assaulting the Curra resident because he believed the man had committed offences.
The court heard this belief was informed by graffiti Mr Webb saw painted on a container near the Curra man’s property.
Magistrate Bevan Hughes told Webb: ‘You had no legal authority and no evidence. You formed a view and acted on that view by committing an act of violence on a person in their home.’
‘This is serious offending.’
Requesting bail, Mr Webb’s lawyer told the court while the defendant accepted the ‘physical act’ had occurred, Mr Webb did not present a risk to the community.
The lawyer said Mr Webb had been triggered by ‘matters personal to him’ which may have explained his ‘explosive response’.
The magistrate noted Mr Webb had a history of child abuse, a current mental health plan, that this was his first offence and that he was employed as a fencing contractor.
Justice Hughes granted bail under conditions that the defendant did not approach or contact the complainant or the complainant’s wife and report to police twice a week.
Mr Webb’s case was adjourned until 20 October 2025.
