Former Commonwealth Games boxing medallist charged with assault
A former Commonwealth Games boxer for Scotland has been charged with assault after allegedly punching a woman in the face and throwing a glass at a man at a Gold Coast nightclub.
Police were called to SinCity Nightclub in Surfers Paradise about 3am on Thursday, after a dance-floor disturbance between Glasgow 2014 bronze-medallist Stephen Lavelle and two 18-year-old locals.
Scottish boxer Stephen Lavelle won bronze at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The former heavyweight fighter, who lives in Victoria, allegedly punched the woman in the face and threw a glass at the man, cutting his face.
Security intervened and called police before the 18-year-old man was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
Lavelle was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault, to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on April 30.
He was seen walking out of the Southport watchhouse on Thursday morning.
The boxer was not competing on the Gold Coast but won bronze at Glasgow four years ago, losing to New Zealander David Light after defeating an Indian fighter and a Welsh fighter.
“I’m delighted with my medal. I’d have loved to get the gold but it just wasn’t meant to be,” he told the Daily Record at the time.
#BREAKING: A former Commonwealth Games boxer for Scotland has been charged on the Gold Coast over an alleged assault at a night club. #9News pic.twitter.com/Dn5vrZJ77M
— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) April 11, 2018
“It was really nerve-wracking (standing on the podium) but I really enjoyed it as well, I got such a buzz being up there. The crowd was so loud.
“Being in the host city with my friends and family roaring me on made all the hard work over the past few years worthwhile.
“By far, this is the biggest thing I have ever done. Nothing comes close.
“Winning my Scottish titles and representing my country over the world is great, but this has been on a different level.”
The charges came after Northern Ireland boxer Sean McComb was fined and banned from the area after an alleged fight with bouncers outside the club on Tuesday morning.