Astro Labe, 38, pleads guilty in Hobart court to causing harm to a commonwealth official

A Hobart DJ has admitted to head-butting the former prime minister Tony Abbott at the city’s waterfront.

Astro Labe, 38, pleaded guilty on Thursday in Hobart magistrates court to the charge of causing harm to a commonwealth official. The court heard Labe followed Abbott for about 250m and offered to shake his hand before “launching” into a head-butt on 21 September.

The Hobart DJ was arrested the next day and told police in an interview there was no one reason for his actions.

Hobart DJ accused of headbutting Tony Abbott faces new charge Read more

“I just hate Tony Abbot,” the court heard he told police. “I can’t specify anything.”

Magistrate Michael Daly questioned Labe’s claim he acted spontaneously after the court heard he joked with friends about head-butting Abbott on the day of the incident.

Labe’s initial charge of common assault was upgraded to a federal offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.

His lawyer, Craig Mackie, said Labe, who moved to Tasmania 22 years ago, was not a person of violent disposition and had “never head-butted anyone before”.

“This can only be categorised as being at the very lowest end of the scale,” Mackie said in court.

Abbott said he was left shocked and with a fat lip.

Labe will sentenced on 22 March.