Hit in head 20 times
But road rage attacker walks free from court
AN unemployed father who admitted to repeatedly punching a man while he was on the ground has walked from court with immediate parole.
Shane Gregory Armstrong, 45, was lucky not to have seriously injured a motorist in a shocking Nerang road rage attack which involved two other people, a court was told.
In the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday Armstrong pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while in company and wilful damage in September.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nicola Wood said the fight began with a minor nose-to-tail collision on Mt Nathan Rd.
A truck driver with a dash camera was trying to get out of a property at the time and captured footage. The truckie sounded his horn but it did not deter Armstrong.
Sen-Const. Wood said the victim tried to drive away from the scene when Armstrong reached inside the car, punched the victim, pulled the keys from the ignition and threw them into bushland.
The victim got out of his car to call police and a passenger left Armstrong’s car and attacked the victim, the court was told.
When the pair fell to the ground Armstrong struck the victim in the head 20 times as the man cowered in the foetal position. The court was told the victim suffered cuts and abrasions in the assault.
Sen Const. Wood said Armstrong also ripped the side mirror off the victim’s vehicle.
Defence lawyer Sam Jackson, of Bamberry Lawyers, said the victim grabbed Armstrong’s shirt and tried to drive away, which prompted his client to pull the keys from the car.
Ms Dowse sentenced Armstrong to a total of 12 months’ prison with an immediate parole release.
Armstrong was ordered to pay the victim $1000 compensation and $235 restitution for damage to the car.