Driver stabbed by gamer ‘sick of trucks’

A DERWENT Valley man stabbed a truck driver because he was upset about the amount of trucks travelling past his home, a court has heard.

Zen Caley, 44, of Maydena, pleaded guilty to wounding truck driver Lester Townsend with intent to disable or cause grievous bodily harm on February 21 last year.

Prosecutor Jackie Hartnett told the Supreme Court in Hobart on Thursday that Mr Townsend was driving from New Norfolk to a quarry about 5km from Maydena when Caley flagged him down in Maydena about 11am.

Ms Hartnett said Mr Townsend, who was involved in nearby roadworks, stopped and got out of his truck.

“[Caley] said that he was sick of trucks driving through Maydena,” she said.

Ms Hartnett said Caley told Mr Townsend truck movements were “wrecking his work trying to make computer games”.

The court heard Caley stabbed Mr Townsend with a knife, and Mr Townsend received three wounds to his abdomen and one to his left arm.

A colleague of Mr Townsend’s drove past about 11.15am and helped Mr Townsend sit down at the edge of the road.

Ms Hartnett said police drove past shortly after, and volunteer ambulance officers and paramedics arrived soon after.

“A helicopter arrived to transfer the complainant to hospital,” Ms Hartnett said.

She said Caley in the meantime returned to his home and police arrived to find he had injured himself and was unconscious on his ensuite floor.

Mr Townsend had to be removed from the helicopter so that it could take Caley to the Royal Hobart Hospital, and a second helicopter was sent for Mr Townsend, to take him to the same hospital.

Ms Hartnett said Mr Townsend had emergency surgery and that his wounds “without medical attention … could have been fatal”.

The court heard the ongoing psychological impacts on Mr Townsend were significant, and that he had been diagnosed with severe posttraumatic stress disorder.

Ms Hartnett said Caley had no prior convictions

Justice Michael Brett will hear submissions from Caley’s lawyer on Monday. Caley was remanded in custody. If you need help call Lifeline on 131 114 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.