Peter James McGauran, 52, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of assault with a weapon.

McGauran represented himself during the hearing after issues arose with his lawyer.

According to a prosecution summary obtained by The Courier, the male victim went to Lange’s Meats on Pleasant Street early in the afternoon of August 6 last year.

Following the end of his employment at the butcher’s, the victim entered the shop and asked for separation entitlements. 

But McGauran and the victim started arguing over what time the victim was supposed to pick up his entitlements, and McGauran repeatedly asked him to leave.

The victim refused and McGauran eventually called triple-zero, the summary read.

McGauran again asked his former co-worker to leave, but when his request was again denied he picked up a one-metre-long metal pole and waved it towards the victim. McGauran then struck him on the left arm and threatened to strike the victim again, this time in the head, if he didn’t leave. 

This time he left, just before police attended.

According to the summary, the victim suffered “significant pain” and bruising to his upper left arm and received medical treatment.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Pepe Brown showed the metal pole to the court.

Magistrate Ian Von Einem fined McGauran $1000 with conviction.