Dust-up at dealership

Court told salesman headbutted manager

A SALESMAN lunged across a desk to punch and headbutt his manager during a bust-up at a Corio truck dealership last year.

Bruno Lombardo was sacked on the spot after launching the assault during a sales meeting at the dealership on October 13.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard the 46year-old “snapped” after he felt he was being bullied during the meeting between a small group of employees.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable David Vanderpol said Lombardo and the victim had been working together for 11 months before the incident happened.

He said other staff were forced to intervene after Lombardo swung his right fist at the manager — connecting with the victim’s ear — and headbutted his face.

Lombardo was remorseful and made full admissions to police while being questioned four days later.

Defence lawyer David Nelson said the attack happened after the sales manager initially “had a go” at Lombardo about his work attire, saying it looked like he was going to a nightclub.

Moments later, during the meeting, a dispute erupted over a client’s decision to downgrade their order from two large trucks to smaller vehicles.

Mr Nelson said the manager had pressured Lombardo to change the client’s decision, before pointing to a whiteboard and saying: “Look here, I’m leading the sales”.

“He (Lombardo) felt he was unnecessarily criticised and bullied in front of others,” Mr Nelson said.

He told the court the incident happened soon after Lombardo learned his father was battling a serious illness, which ultimately claimed his life last month.

Magistrate Frank Jones took that factor into account as he sentenced Lombardo, who pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury.

“I can understand your emotional state at that stage,” he said. “It’s lucky you didn’t hurt him too much.”

Mr Jones did not convict Lombardo but instead fined him $900 and ordered him to pay a further $75 in court costs.

The court was told Lombardo has since found a new sales job in Hoppers Crossing.

“He (Lombardo) felt he was unnecessarily criticised and bullied in front of others.” DEFENCE LAWYER DAVID NELSON