No jail for man who attacked caretaker
A 34-year-old English national has avoided jail time after attacking a 63-year-old property caretaker before the victim had a heart attack.
Cranbrook man Ian Dodson was handed an 11-month suspended sentence at the Albany Magistrates Court last Thursday for aggravated common assault and threat to kill charges.
The court heard that Dodson and his family were given shelter in a shearing shed on a Cuthbert property after they had been living out of their car.
Dodson’s victim was a caretaker on the property, who on April 23 last year was assisting the property owner with maintenance work when he entered the shed to collect tools.
The court heard Dodson approached the caretaker with his right fist raised and left hand behind his back as he entered the shed.
Dodson said: “I’m going to kill you Jeff, you woke my baby up”, before throwing a punch and swinging a knife at the 63-year-old.
The punch was deflected while Dodson’s lunge with the knife did not make contact.
The victim armed himself with a metal pipe and became locked in a stand-off with Dodson, who continued to threaten him, the court heard. Dodson was then tackled to the ground by the property owner and the caretaker.
Shortly after police arrived the 63-year-old caretaker had a heart attack and was taken hospital by ambulance.
Dodson’s defence lawyer Richard Hickson said his client had been drinking heavily with his partner and alleged the victim had made suggestive comments to his partner.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails