A man who threatened his mechanic with a machete in front of the mechanic's 12-year-old son has been convicted and fined $2000.
A MAN swung a machete at his mechanic in front of the victims 12-year-old-son for not fixing his car properly, a court has heard.
David Laslett, 56, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates Court today, where he pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon.
The court heard Laslett attended an address in Kossuth Street, Ballarat on July 7 last year, where his car had been getting fixed for a period of months.
He demanded the car be brought out but when the victim refused, he swung the machete towards the victim and produced another knife.
The machete did not make contact with the victim and he was not injured.
The car was then brought out, which Laslett drive away a short time later.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Leading Senior Constable Pepe Brown said the incident occurred in front of a young boy.
"The victim's 12-year-old son was present at the time and felt very threatened and fearful for his and the victim's safety," said Leading Senior Constable Brown.
Defence lawyer Mike Wardell said the machete, which Laslett retrieved from his car boot, was in his client's possession as he had been gardening at his mothers house.
"When he swung it, there was no chance of colliding with the victim whatsoever," said Mr Wardell.
"It was about causing fear and apprehension rather than actual injury.
"He had previously been put at a cost of $1900 for negligent repairs and his wife's car had also broken down and was with the victim."
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said she initially considered a term of imprisonment upon hearing the police summary.
She said had it not been for Laslett's lack of prior convictions, a jail term was a genuine possibility.
"You do not resolve civil disputes with violence, in this case extreme violence," Ms Hodgson said.
"I don't sense a lot of remorse from the material given to the court either."
Laslett was convicted and fined $2000.
