Cooper Benson, a contestant on the new season of Love Island Australia, has publicly addressed his recent sentencing following a fight at a Gold Coast bar.
A 23-year-old salesman from Brisbane admitted to assaulting two men during a bar fight that happened in March. He pleaded guilty at Southport Magistrates Court.
The future reality TV contestant has apologized for what happened and confessed that he didn’t mention the fight to the show’s producers during the selection process.
Oh my god, he finally released a statement! It basically said he’s SO sorry for everything that happened at the beginning of the year. Like, truly, deeply regrets it. It’s not much, but it’s something, and honestly, it makes me feel a little bit better knowing he acknowledges it all. I’ve been waiting for this forever!
I want to be clear: I didn’t mention this incident to anyone at Love Island or Channel Nine before I joined the show, and I’m sorry for that oversight.
I was trying to stand up for my friend, and I admit I overreacted. The judge understood it wasn’t entirely my fault, and I wasn’t given a criminal record. Even so, I sincerely regret what I did.
Benson admitted guilt to three charges: causing bodily harm through assault, a general assault, and driving a vehicle without a required interlock device.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that the incident happened on March 23rd at E Star Karaoke Bar in Southport. Benson was there celebrating a friend’s birthday at the time.
As Benson and another person accused alongside him were walking away, a man aged 29 briefly touched the shoulder and neck of Benson’s co-accused while embracing a 25-year-old friend.
Benson then approached and shoved the 29-year-old in the chest, forcing him backwards.
As the 25-year-old attempted to de-escalate the situation, Benson unexpectedly punched the older man in the face, knocking him back into a karaoke machine.
He quickly threw several more punches, hitting both men in the head and knocking one of them into a desk.
Courtroom video showed Benson and his accomplice approaching the two victims, after which Benson started physically attacking them.
The 29-year-old man broke a tooth and suffered cuts and bruises to his face and eyebrow before other customers intervened and stopped the attacker, Benson, from continuing the assault.
After the incident was reported on April 23rd, police began investigating, but had difficulty reaching Benson.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, the reality TV contestant was found on May 1st when highway patrol stopped his black Mercedes in Nerang.
Investigations showed Benson was required to have an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle until September 2027.
Attorney Nick Crawford explained to the court that his client was out of the country in New Zealand when police tried to reach him, and acknowledged the incident was a significant mistake.
‘It was a complete over-reaction, absolutely,’ Mr Crawford said.
From what I understand from the court proceedings, this all started with a simple touch. Apparently, one of the men touched the other’s face, and that led to a verbal exchange. Sadly, things escalated quickly from there, and that’s what led to the situation getting out of control.
‘Certainly the whole thing could have ended at that time if my client had walked away,’ he said.
Mr. Crawford also mentioned that Benson, who works in sales and for charities, has started an online course to help with his anger and has offered to make things right with those he harmed.
Magistrate Kerry Magee strongly condemned the attack, calling it both ‘completely unacceptable’ and a ‘prolonged and relentless offense’.
‘This is not a one or two or three punch assault,’ she said.
Despite the assaults, the judge released Benson on a 15-month probation period, noting his young age, lack of prior criminal record, and strong work ethic. No conviction was recorded for the offenses.
Okay, so here’s the deal: the court ordered this individual to make things right with those he harmed – that meant $1,750 to one person and $250 to another. On top of that, he received a $300 fine for the traffic violation, and he won’t be allowed to drive for three months. It’s a pretty significant consequence, and hopefully, it encourages better choices in the future.
Benson received his sentence the day after Channel Nine revealed he would be a contestant on this year’s show.
His official show bio describes him as ‘super-fit’, ‘impossible not to notice’ and a ‘handy boxer’.
According to his profile, Cooper isn’t shy about voicing his opinions and will challenge anyone – even the other guys on Love Island – if he disagrees with them.
‘He is strong, stubborn, and has a fiery streak, but is also very loyal and ready to find love.’
The description ‘handy boxer’ has since been removed from his bio.
Daily Mail has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.
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2025-10-22 03:42