Former ranger admits to parking assault

A former City of Albany ranger accused of assaulting a delivery driver during a parking dispute has changed his plea to guilty.

Michael McCaffery, 56, was a ranger with the City when he allegedly assaulted driver Peter Kinnane outside Cosi’s Cafe on February 6.

The now former ranger was set to appear in Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday for a trial allocation hearing after originally opting to plead not guilty. But during the brief appearance, Mr McCaffery opted to change his pleas to the two charges of aggravated common assault and unlawful damage to guilty.

Police allege Mr McCaffery assaulted Mr Kinnane, 62, when he was issuing a parking ticket to him, and also damaged a vehicle owned by another man. Mr Kinnane had double-parked on Peels Place while delivering produce, which led to the dispute.

Defence lawyer Jamie Hodgkinson requested a remand before sentencing in five weeks on July 4.