Man knocked unconscious metres from where Thomas Kelly was fatally hit
A Sydney security guard has been charged after a man was knocked unconscious outside a nightclub in Kings Cross.
The alleged assault occurred on Darlinghurst Road, about 100 metres from where Thomas Kelly was coward punched in 2012 – an attack that led to the 18-year-old's death two days later.
The incident comes just months after lockout laws introduced in Sydney following Mr Kelly's death were eventually lifted in the area, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian arguing incidences of violence had significantly dropped.
In the early hours of Sunday, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command were patrolling Darlinghurst Road when they were flagged down by people concerned for a man on the footpath about 1am.
A 33-year-old man had lost consciousness for several minutes, police were told.
Police said the 33-year-old man was allegedly pushed by a security guard, he fell backwards and hit his head on the footpath.
Officers performed first aid on the man before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived on the scene.
The man was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he was assessed and held under observation for nine hours and then eventually discharged.
A 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station. Police allege at the time of the incident the man was performing his duties as a security guard outside the club.
The man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and will appear in Central Local Court on May 25.
An application for the man's license to be suspended and revoked has been made, police said.
Kings Cross lockout laws lifted
NSW Police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia the incident occurred outside a premises near McDonald's.
The fast food restaurant is roughly 100 metres away from the intersection where Mr Kelly was attacked.
On New Year's Eve in 2013, Daniel Christie was also coward punched metres away from where Mr Kelly was struck.
The alcohol-fuelled attacks brought about controversial lockout laws in 2014, which were eventually scrapped in 2020.
Initially, Kings Cross was exempt from the easing of the rule.
However it was announced the once-flourishing entertainment precinct would see the law relaxed and align with the rest of Sydney CBD's rules.
“Kings Cross has transformed considerably since these laws were introduced over six years ago,” NSW Premier gladys Berejiklian said in a press release back in February this year.
“The precinct is now well positioned to continue to evolve into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural destination with a diverse mix of small bars, live music venues and restaurants.”
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