Fisherman jailed for attack and stalking

A MASTER fisherman who struggles to stay out of trouble while on dry land will remain behind bars until at least the end of the year after attacking and stalking a man who sent threatening text messages to his son over a debt.

Jamie Thomas White, 48, was so enraged by the messages sent to his 18-year-old son on April 28 last year he turned up at the 45-year-old victim’s house with his son and another man armed with a knife.

Cairns District Court heard on Monday his son waited outside while White and his mate went inside and attacked the victim, punching him and threatening him with the knife.

The pair threatened or assaulted him with items including a hammer, mallet, spanner and a pot of boiling water.

The pair then left with the man’s wallet, phone and keys.

The victim suffered injuries to his elbow and head, along with various bruises and abrasions. The court heard White then followed him in his car the next day with the victim spotting him three times.

White pleaded guilty to robbery with violence while armed in company and stalking, before being sentenced to four years and eight months jail.

Judge Tracey Fantin said the incident began after the victim loaned White’s son some money then became convinced it would not be repaid.

The court heard he sent text messages threatening to “bash” and “smash” the teenager, that he would “rip his head off” and that he was “f--ing dead”. He also took to Facebook offering a $500 reward for the whereabouts of two people, not naming them, but White insinuated he was talking about his son.

“I accept that you honestly believed those threats would be carried out,” Judge Fantin said, before labelling it “misguided loyalty” to his son.

Judge Fantin ruled White would be eligible for parole on January 1.