Teenager kneecaps ex-boss over pay

A DISGRUNTLED ex-employee claims he was denied a month’s worth of wages before he took matters into his own hands and chased and struck his old boss with a steel knife sharpener.

The Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told CodyJohn Leslie Saffy, 19, hit his former boss in the left kneecap with a steel sharpener on the afternoon of April 19 this year resulting in pain and swelling to the victim’s leg.

Police prosecutor Anita Page submitted the physical altercation broke out when Saffy turned up to the address of his former workplace almost two months after his employment ceased and demanded payment from his employer who tried to run away when the young man chased and threatened him with his weapon. Two employees interfered and guided Saffy outside of the property after the assault where he then used the knife sharpener a final time to smash the windows of a car before leaving.

Saffy (pictured) pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wilful damage on Wednesday.

The teenager’s solicitor Hamish Chapman said being owed payment caused Saffy frustration and offered an “explanation not an excuse” for his aggressive behaviour.

Magistrate Rowan Silva sentenced Saffy to 20 months probation but warned the youth he would not be afforded leniency again.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

Saffy’s history of violence compelled the court to order him to probation where he will receive assistance for anger management. He was also ordered to pay a $200 fine for failing to appear before the court for previous matters.