Warilla Hotel attacker avoids jail after violent assault on staff

Blaire Sean Murphy, 43, has avoided jail time following a violent assault on two employees at the Warilla Hotel. The incident occurred on June 1 after Murphy became abusive toward staff regarding requests to charge a mobile phone and purchase alcohol while intoxicated.

During the confrontation, Murphy punched one employee multiple times and struck a second employee eight times in the head. The attacks resulted in facial swelling for one victim and a fractured nose requiring surgery for the other. Murphy pleaded guilty to common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and failing to leave a premises at Port Kembla Local Court. The presiding judge noted that the assault could have ‘easily become a one punch murder’.