Road rage episode caught on dash-cam
A MAUDE father denies he spat in the face of another driver and assaulted him in a road rage attack on busy Geelong streets at school pick-up time.
Police allege David Corbo, 47, was the protagonist in a series of confrontations with another motorist on Aberdeen and Pakington streets soon after 3.30pm on May 27 last year.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Scott Bell told Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday police had about 10 minutes of high-quality dash-cam footage and audio taken from the alleged victim’s car as evidence against Mr Corbo.
It will be shown at a contested hearing on October 27, where the accused will fight charges of threatening to inflict serious injury, unlawful assault, criminal damage and using threatening language.
Sen-Constable Bell detailed the police case against Mr Corbo yesterday, telling the court the incident started when the defendant tried to re-enter traffic from a loading zone outside St John’s Primary School on Aberdeen St, Newtown.
He allegedly lowered his window to abuse the victim as he tried to pull in front of him, and then stopped on the road way, blocking traffic and getting out of his car.
In fear, the victim’s efforts to lock his door failed, and Mr Corbo allegedly forced the door open to physically assault him and spat in his face while swearing abuse.
Sen-Constable Bell said the defendant also punched the victim’s side window, smashing it.
Soon after the complainant parked on Pakington St, and was again confronted by the accused, who allegedly threatened him, saying he had a gun under his seat.
“You don’t know who I am,” Mr Corbo allegedly said.
Police say the defendant became angrier when he was told the incident was being filmed by the dash-cam and that the alleged victim’s daughter was a police officer.
He allegedly grabbed the recording device and threw it, spat multiple times in the man’s face and scratched the side of his car.
Sen-Constable Bell told the court the man was fearful, and needed counselling after the incident, while his car sustained more than $3200 of damage.
However, when interviewed by police, Mr Corbo said many of the man’s allegations were ridiculous.
While police say the dashcam footage will prove their case against Mr Corbo, the defendant’s lawyer said charges relating to damage and physical assault relied on the victim’s statement.
The lawyer said his client would call two independent witnesses to dispute those allegations when the matter returned to court.