Road rager evades jail

A MAN who went into a rage after being tailgated and attacked a truck driver with a piece of wood has narrowly avoided jail.

Scott Jason Kingsun, who pleaded guilty in Townsville District Court to the assault, had ironically previously been fined for driving too closely behind a vehicle.

Truck driver Wendell Hammer was driving behind Kingsun, 24, on April 1 last year, heading towards Townsville on Stuart Drive.

About 4.30pm, the vehicles stopped at red lights.

Kingsun stepped out of his car holding a 50cm long piece of wood and approached Mr Hammer.

Dashcam footage of the incident was shown to the court.

In the video, a voice is heard saying: “You’re a complete f... wit”.

Another male replies: “You’re the one driving up my f...... a...”. Loud bangs are then heard. Crown prosecutor Cath Ferguson said Kingsun used the piece of wood to hit Mr Hammer five or six times, smash a window and damage the truck’s mirror and door.

The damage totalled $ 1085 and Mr Hammer received a bruised ribcage and muscle pain.

Defence barrister Scott Geeves said Kingsun did not have a clear memory of the attack, but recalled the semitrailer had been following closely behind him for 10km to 20km.

“The stick in the car was something he had at hand. He accepts that he completely lost his cool, he let his emotions get the better of him,” he said.

“He became aggravated and frustrated at being followed. He just doesn’t know what he was thinking.”

Mr Geeves said Kingsun, a father of one, was a qualified spray painter and was suffering depression at the time.

Judge Gregory Lynham said Kingsun had no criminal history, but was fined in 2014 for driving too closely behind another vehicle.

The judge said the offence was serious and Kingsun had come close to being jailed.

Kingsun was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended immediately.

He was also ordered to perform 120 hours of community service and repay $ 1085 in repair costs within three months.