Security guard for south Sydney pub dies following alleged coward punch, as NSW Police charge 31-year-old man over the death

Officers were dispatched to the Royal Hotel on East Parade in Sydney’s Sutherland shire about 2am on Sunday following reports a security guard had been assaulted.

Upon arrival, police found a man, believed to be in his 30s, unconscious outside the hotel and begun CPR.

NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and attempted to save the security guard, but despite their efforts he died at the scene.

A crime scene was then established and authorities began investigating the incident, with police being told the man was allegedly punched in the head by a patron following an altercation.

It is alleged the guest had been asked to leave the pub prior to the assault.

Following enquiries, a 31-year-old man was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Detective Superintendent Craig Middleton confirmed the man had now been charged with assault occasioning death.

The Detective Superintendent added the 31-year-old was assisting police with their enquires as authorities work to determine the circumstances leading up to the security guard’s death.

“The reasons for the altercation are still part of our investigation, but I can confirm that the 31-year-old male had been asked to leave the premises previously,” he said.

“There was an altercation out the front of the hotel, it was captured and seen by a number of witnesses and captured on CCTV so we’re working through that at the moment.”

No weapons were involved in the confrontation, the Detective Superintendent continued, adding that the 31-year-old had been charged under legislation designed to convict perpetrators of so-called coward punches.

He added police would oppose bail for the alleged assailant.

Asked what authorities made of the situation, Detective Superintendent Middleton described the incident as a “tragedy”, and confirmed the victim’s family had been informed of the death.

“It’s terrible. The security guard is just going about his business, there’s patrons in there having a good time and anything like this, where the security guard has ended up losing his life, is just a tragedy all round for the families involved, for the people at the hotel, for emergency services,” he said.

“There are no winners in this situation.

“The victim’s family is overseas and they’ve just been informed, so obviously they’ll be very upset.”

A number of witnesses have already spoken to police as part of their investigation, but Detective Superintendent Middleton urged anyone who may have additional information to come forward.

“We always encourage further witnesses to come forward and we’ll be conducting those enquires throughout the day and into the evening,” he said.

Anyone with information can contact Sutherland Police or make a report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.