Punches land man in strife
A YOUNG man found himself pinned to the ground on Flinders Street after an ugly road rage confrontation which culminated in fisticuffs with a taxi driver.
Townsville’s Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday how Leonard James Weir, 19, became involved in an argument with a taxi driver at Townsville’s Safe Night Precinct on February 24.
Police prosecutor Emily Olditch said two vehicles were stopped at the pedestrian crossing where “heated words” were exchanged about the manner in which Weir had been driving.
“The victim says he’s pulled away from the crossing towards the taxi rank, (Weir) has accelerated at high speed before slamming on his brakes, causing smoke to emit from his tyres.”
She said Weir then left his vehicle and continued to verbally abuse the taxi driver.
“(Weir) has then begun swinging at the victim, punching him multiple times, and causing a small scratch to his forehead,” Ms Olditch said.
“Eyewitnesses then grabbed (Weir) and held him down on the ground until police arrived.”
Three days later, police discovered Weir within the Safe Night Precinct, in breach of the banning notice he had been issued. Further questioning revealed that he had driven there, despite having a restricted licence prohibiting him from driving between the hours of 11pm and 5am.
He pleaded guilty to charges of common assault, contravening a police banning notice, and driving between 11pm and 5am with a restricted licence.
Ms Olditch said Weir had minimal criminal history but given that he had sought a brief of evidence, it wasn’t an early guilty plea.
Defence lawyer Michael Spearman said “some very poor choices had been made” but during the argument “it seems like both sides were having a fair crack at it but (his client) shouldn’t have carried on and he’s well aware of that”.
He asked for Weir to receive a fine and no conviction to be recorded.
Despite Weir’s youth and limited criminal history, Magistrate Viviana Keegan expressed concern about his involvement in a road rage incident.
Given the seriousness of Weir’s attack, she didn’t regard a fine as appropriate, instead sentencing him to 50 hours of community service where he could reflect on his behaviour and its consequences.
The magistrate also fined him $450 for the driving and ban breaches.
No convictions were recorded.