One-spit wonder freed Driver undergoes tests after ice addict assault

A DRIVER had to undergo tests for contagious diseases after a young ice addict spat in his face during a “disgusting and terrible” road rage attack.

Benjamin Michael Neilson pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to unlawful assault of a person aged over 60 on May 16, 2018 at Oxenford.

In a separate incident two days earlier, the 19-year-old also admitted to wilful damage when he kicked in the panels of a car because he felt it was travelling too close to his girlfriend.

Prosecutor Chris Freeman told the court it was just after midday on May 16 when Neilson and the victim “got into a road rage incident” and both pulled over on Tamborine Oxenford Road.

“The defendant has got out of his vehicle and has gone to the driver’s side door of the victim’s vehicle and has started to verbally abuse him.” he said.

Mr Freeman said the man “tried to get out of his vehicle” but Neilson “kept the door closed on him”.

Neilson “then spat at the victim” and the spittle landed “on the victim’s face”.

Jumping back in Neilson left the area.

He later told police he was “going through some family issues” and had been “struggling with his anger problems”.

Two days earlier, about 4.30pm, Neilson kicked a vehicle “several times” and dented his car, panels after he got into an argument with its driver at a pedestrian crossing outside a shopping centre.

Neilson had no prior criminal record.

Defence lawyer Ross Oden said Neilson lived with mental health issues and “may have” attention deficit disorders.

Mr Oden said Neilson had overcome a “short-term meth addiction” and was remorseful for his “out-of-character” and “spur-of-the-moment” offending.

Magistrate Mark Howden said Neilson’s behaviour was “disgusting and terrible”, but he did consider an early plea and Neilson’s “very young age”.

Neilson, supported by his mum, was placed on probation for 18 months, has to pay $500 compensation and a conviction was not recorded.