M1 driver shot in face with gun pellet

A MAN who was responsible for a terrifying prank on the M1 which left another driver shot in the cheek with a water gun pellet has spent the night in custody.

Ethan Gordon Gibson pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to one count of driving without due care and common assault.

Magistrate Gary Finger deemed Gibson’s actions so serious he needed the night to think about what how he would be sentenced.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Daniel McShane said Gibson was driving on the M1 in Upper Coomera in a red Holden about 3.20pm on December 9.

Snr Const. McShane said the victim saw a black and orange barrel point from the passenger side of the red car driving up beside him. The victim

THE VICTIM WAS IN SHOCK AND THOUGHT HE HAD BEEN SHOT BY A BULLET SNR CONST. DANIEL MCSHANE

then felt a sting on the cheek and saw white fragments break off in front of his eyes.

“The victim was in shock and thought he had been shot by a bullet,” Snr Const. McShane said.

The court heard the victim thought he was seriously injured and momentarily lost control of his car. An onlooker was able to get the registration and police raided the home later that night.

Gibson, who represented himself in court, said he thought his passenger was just shooting signs and was not planning to shoot at other cars.

“I told him I didn’t want to be in the car when he was shooting cars,” he said.

“I know its wrong.”

He told the court he thought he should be punished with a small fine. Magistrate Finger said he would be receiving more than a small fine.

“Put yourself in the other fellow’s position and he gets hit with something that could knock him out,” he said. “I need to think about what I am going to do with you.” Gibson will be sentenced today.