Car sparks tool fight
AN argument over a car allegedly ended with a garden tool duel – the weapons of choice a mattock handle and a star picket.
Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday heard the alleged confrontation at Gordonvale this week occurred after Shane Cowell argued with his father about the ownership of a vehicle.
Defending solicitor Steve McFarlane told the court Cowell senior drove away.
“His father came and, having a spare key, took the car
and drove it home,” Mr McFarlane said.
The missing vehicle prompted his son to call the police with a complaint of
stealing. When the officers did not promptly attend the scene, Cowell junior approached his father’s house.
“His father pretended not to be home,” Mr McFarlane said.
The younger Cowell approached the back door and found a mattock handle.
It is alleged he smashed a bird cage with the handle and then took a swing at this father, who was armed with a star picket.
“He did not go there to cause any trouble,” Mr McFarlane said. “He picked up the handle – things just escalated unfortunately for
him, while he was there.” Shane Cowell did not enter a plea to a charge of breaching a court order while armed.
“When police came he was sitting on the back patio, minding his own business," Mr McFarlane said.
Acting Magistrate Scott Luxton adjourned the matter for further mention on January 15.
“This seems to have something to do with a motor vehicle,” Mr Luxton said.
He determined that it would be unjust to remand the defendant into custody but reminded Mr Cowell that police had more urgent mat-
ters to deal with than his car. “Police have priorities especially at this time of the year – a matter of a motor vehicle is not a high priority,” he said and released Mr Cowell on bail.
He told Mr Cowell it would take “some time” before the ownership of the car would be untangled.
Mr Luxton ordered the defendant not to approach his father’s house while he was on bail.