Legendary footy hard man learns his fate after assaulting police outside a pub

Queensland footy great Trevor Gillmeister has avoided a conviction after he allegedly assaulted a police officer outside a Brisbane pub.

The former Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers star pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, obstructing the cop and committing a public nuisance following an incident that took place near the Stock Exchange Hotel on November 14.

However, the 61-year-old was left Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after being handed a three-month $1,500 good behaviour bond.

Mr Gillmeister had also faced an additional charge of circumstance of aggravation relating to him being in a public place while being affected by an intoxicating substance. That charge was later dropped after his lawyer, Nick Crawford, sent an email to the court asking for the charge to be withdrawn due to the community work he has done over the years.

The former Broncos second row told reporters outside the court that he had been caught up in the 'wrong place at the wrong time.'

'Next time, hopefully I'll know better,' he added.

While in session, the court had heard that Mr Gillmeister had been ejected from the Stock Exchange Hotel during the evening in question due to his behaviour. He had subsequently attempted to re-enter the premises.

The former rugby league star had allegedly placed the manager of the hotel in a 'chokehold' when another employee had prevented him from re-entering the venue.

'They've then had something of an altercation. There's been some shoving, and the manager has been placed in a chokehold,' the police prosecutor told the court.

'The defendant's been taken outside by several bystanders, but police have subsequently taken up with the defendant. Those are the matters of the charge for public nuisance.'

Prosecutors stated that the manager had not made a complaint regarding the alleged altercation.

While outside, the prosecutor told the court that police who were on patrol had arrived.

'The defendant's been taken outside by several bystanders, but police have subsequently taken up with the defendant. Those are the matters of the charge for public nuisance,' the prosecutor told the court.

Officers had tried to speak with the 61-year-old, who allegedly grabbed one of the officers' arms, before swearing at the police officer.

'He's pushed the police officer hard enough that the officer had to take several steps back,' the prosecutor told the court.

Mr Gillmeister allegedly resisted arrest and ignored the police officers.

'These aren't trivial matters, your honour, but it doesn't appear that anyone's been injured,' the prosecutor said.

Magistrate Anne Thacker asked the former footballer's legal counsel why he was behaving in such a manner, with Mr Crawford explaining that the Queensland State of Origin representative was intoxicated.

Mr Crawford had previously submitted to the court that his client was unable to get onto the ground when told to do so by the cops because of the injuries he sustained throughout the course of his footy career.

'He instructs this is the central reason he did not 'get on the ground' when he was being arrested,' Mr Crawford said.

His legal counsel explained that he would be making '$500 in compensation available to the arresting officer', which Magistrate Thacker later stated was not necessary.

'Our office is respectfully seeking the removal of the COA - in public place adversely affected - for charges two and three due to the significant community work undertaken over the past three decades, his age and the fact he has no criminal history.'

In his submissions to the court, Mr Crawford explained that his client, Mr Gillmeister, had been the only person injured following the incident, suffering swollen eyes and a cut to his forehead.

'There was a large number of other people around him, friends and associates, who were preventing the police from talking to him as well,' Mr Crawford explained.

'So the whole situation escalated. There was no injury sustained to any person at all, including the police. It was a push,' he said.

'The only injuries sustained were the injuries that my client sustained, and this is on the mug shot ... both his eyes are swollen and he's got a cut above his left eyebrow after being thrown on the ground.

'He makes no complaint about the police behaviour, but the only person who was injured in the incident was Mr Gillmeister.

'It's just a situation that drastically got out of control very quickly.'

The lawyer told the court that Mr Gillmeister had been feeling remorseful about the incident.

'He's been thinking about this matter ever since it happened. His wife has spoken to him on many occasions about what happened on that particular night,' he added.

His family did not attend the hearing on Monday, with Mr Crawford explaining that Mr Gillmeister had told his wife to stay away to avoid the significant media attention.

During his footy career, Gillmeister played for the Eastern Suburbs, Broncos, Panthers and the South Queensland Crushers.

He'd go on to win three caps for Australia and make 22 appearances for Queensland before hanging up his boots at the end of the 1996 season.

He'd later step into coaching, working as an assistant for the Maroons while he also juggled a range of fundraising work, notably becoming an ambassador for asbestos awareness and providing support to footy players who have fallen on tough times.

In recent times, Mr Gillmeister has also worked as a rugby league analyst for Channel Seven. It is understood that the broadcaster will be reviewing his contract.

'He's certainly extremely embarrassed by his behaviour and very remorseful for his conduct. This is the first mention, it's a very early plea of guilty,' Mr Crawford said.

'The whole thing really escalated from the public nuisance side of things because of the injuries that he has suffered through his career and being told he has to get on the ground - he's got very limited movement with his shoulders and - and obviously, him being intoxicated as well.

'And he certainly accepts he was behaving in a belligerent manner to the police as well.

'He has great respect for the police and this is a one-off situation and I'm sure your honour will never see him in court again.'

Magistrate Thacker said it was a surprise to see Mr Gillmeister in court.

She told the court that she believed he would not repeat the behaviour again, before asking him: 'Are you able to make that promise?'

Mr Gillmeister replied: 'Yes, without a doubt.'

'You lost it for some reason on this particular night, don't do it again,' Magistrate Thacker said.