Mullewa brothers Thomas and Darcy Rowe plead guilty and fined for assaulting off-duty police officers in 2022

Two Mullewa footballing brothers have been fined thousands of dollars each for a series of drunken assaults and altercations outside a Geraldton bar, with their victims including off-duty police officers.

Thomas Maxwell John Rowe, 27, and Darcy Robert Hugh Rowe, 22, appeared before Geraldton Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning and were scheduled to stand trial for two days before changing their pleas to guilty.

The brothers’ trouble with the law stemmed from a night at The Foreshore Hangout Lounge on December 23, 2022.

Magistrate Matthew Walton said the brothers were “lucky” their actions did not cause “catastrophic injury” and they narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

Thomas Rowe pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour in public, obstructing a public officer and two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, while his younger brother admitted to charges of disorderly behaviour in public and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Thomas Rowe,a qualified plumber who plays for Railways in the GNFL, was fined a total of $10,300 — $10,000 of which to be paid to the victim.

Darcy Rowe, a heavy diesel mechanic who has played WAFL reserves, was hit with total fines amounting to $7100, of which $7000 is to be paid to the victims.

Police prosecutor Sgt Paul White told the court Thomas Rowe approached a victim with his fist clenched and followed him when the victim walked away. The victim had a drink thrown on his chest before being tackled by Thomas Rowe.

Defence lawyer Malcolm Ayoub said that altercation was sparked by an issue over a female.

The brothers were evicted from the pub but returned 20 minutes later when another fight occurred outside the premises.

Two off-duty officers leaving the venue attempted to break it up, but Thomas Rowe threw a punch at one officer, fracturing his nose.

The second officer was attempting to restrain Darcy Rowe when he struck him in the back of the head twice, causing redness and swelling.

The brothers then ran away, with Thomas Rowe throwing his shoe at an officer.

Mr Ayoub said both brothers were apologetic and remorseful and had no malicious motive or intent to cause injury.

“It was just spur of the moment,” Mr Ayoub said, adding since the altercation had occurred the brothers had limited their alcohol intake.

Mr Walton added: “I’ve got no doubt it was affected by alcohol but that’s not an excuse.”

“If this hadn’t been but for circumstances, luck, the grace of God, whatever you want to call it, it could’ve been a catastrophic injury.”

Mr Walton said the brothers should consider themselves “extremely lucky” to avoid a prison sentence.

“You are both, in other aspects of life, remarkable men. Great sportsmen. Still connected to the farm. You’ve got long, happy lives ahead of you,” he said.