One of the men involved in last month’s severe road rage attack on Old Coast Road, near Forrest Highway, has pleaded guilty to all charges.
After attending Bunbury Magistrates Court on October 11, Samuel Josef King, 21, returned to court on November 1 and admitted to reckless driving, being armed/pretending to be armed in a way to cause fear, criminal damage/destruction of property, and using a mobile phone while driving.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Greg Ward told the court King was driving a red Holden Commodore on Old Coast Road when he and his passenger became involved in an altercation with the driver of a Toyota Corolla.
Footage uploaded to Facebook showed King passing a baseball bat to the passenger before encouraging him to “hit the f**king thing with that”.
The pair then caused an estimated $250 damage to the Corolla.
During the incident, King had driven onto the wrong side of road.
King later handed himself into police and made full admissions.
Sgt. Ward said the incident “could have been resolved sooner”, with King going on to commit “top end” reckless driving.
He added the footage provided a clear indication of how King was feeling at the time.
Describing him as the “director” of the incident, Sgt. Ward said King had put himself, his passenger, the victim, and innocent road users at risk.
King’s defence counsel, Paul Chapman, said the victim had tailgated King’s vehicle prior to the road rage incident.
The victim then reportedly came up to the side of King and told him he was going too slow.
After an object hit King’s vehicle, King then used evasive manoeuvres to avoid a collision.
Mr Chapman told the court King realised his mistakes and has since been to counselling.
He added his client had a “low” IQ. He also mentioned King lost his job for Synergy in Collie after the incident.
Magistrate Belinda Coleman described the footage as “very disturbing”, saying King could receive a term of imprisonment for his actions.
Ordering pre-sentence and psychological reports, Ms Coleman adjourned the matter to January 14, 2019.
Read more:
