A TEENAGER who pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance on New Year’s Day avoided a more serious charge because an injured backpacker decided not to make an assault complaint.

Abdel-Kader Russell-Boumzar, 17, was seen behaving in a violent aggressive manner towards a woman in inner-city Brisbane early yesterday, a court was told.

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Police prosecutor Sergeant Shane Turner told Brisbane Magistrates Court a French backpacker who tried to intervene was assaulted by Russell-Boumzar.

He said it was believed the Frenchman had a broken nose as a result.

“The French national declined to make an assault complaint because he is on a holiday and didn’t want to get caught up in lengthy court proceedings, ” Sgt Turner said.

Russell-Boumzar ran off after the incident but was arrested by police a short distance away, on the corner of Roma and Countess streets in the city.

Sgt Turner said it was a more serious example of public nuisance offending, because of the violence against the backpacker.

Russell-Boumzar’s lawyer said the teenager had been arguing with his girlfriend and not a random person.

He said he was seeing mental health professionals.

Magistrate Bronwyn Springer said while the offence involved actual violence towards others, Russell-Boumzar was only being sentenced for the public nuisance charge, not assault.

She ordered him to do 60 hours of community service over eight months.

“This is the second time you have been before the court as an adult,” Ms Springer said.

She said he previously had not had a conviction recorded and on this occasion she would give him one final chance and not record a conviction.

“Just stay out of trouble,” Ms Springer told Russell-Boumzar.

“I see your name in the press on a number of occasions.”

Russell-Boumzar said: “I’m doing my best, your honour. I really am.”

FLOODS of police kept a lid on loutish behaviour while safeguarding Queenslanders from the terror threat on New Year’s Eve.

Crowd numbers were down because of scorching temperatures and late-night storms, but police still arrested more than 630 people during new year celebrations across the state.

The Martin Place siege in Sydney prompted a greater police presence in the greater Brisbane area, and police said this deterred would-be troublemakers.

“At the time the terror level went up in Queensland and across Australia, we made it very clear that we would have extra police at events,” Acting Police Minister Andrew Powell said.

“That includes sporting events and we specifically talked about New Year’s Eve.

“We had as many frontline police as we could possibly put out there and for one specific reason – to keep Queensland safe and let them enjoy themselves (and) let them have their parties.”

About 50,000 people turned out at South Bank to watch the early fireworks, before the crowd swelled to about 80,000 for the main spectacle at midnight.

In total, 636 people were arrested on 753 charges, mostly for public nuisance and orderly offences.

Most people were cuffed on the Sunshine Coast (82), north Brisbane (67), the Gold Coast (60) and far north Queensland (60).

More than 170 liquor and infringement notices were also issued throughout the state.

A party at Brassall was broken up about midnight after fights broke out and about 100 people spilt on to the street.

In Cairns, police were pelted with bottles when they arrived at a rowdy party early yesterday morning.

A man was stabbed at Leslie Dam near Warwick, but few other violent incidents were recorded.

“Queensland did celebrate wisely and I think in more cases celebrated very lawfully and peacefully,” Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said.

Holiday hot spots the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast hosted bigger crowds than usual, with bars and restaurants roaring.

Cafe Le Monde at Noosa Heads was booked solid for a 1970s-funk-themed party.

“We were really busy ... a really good crowd,” bar manager Ashley Barnes said.