The Supreme Court has heard how a heated exchange over an estranged wife led to a machete attack at the Forth Recreation Ground in January last year.
The court was told that the incident began after two campers, both in their mid-50s, spent the day drinking together.
During their conversations, the victim had been venting to fellow camper Scott Howard about his estranged wife.
Things escalated when the woman showed up at the campground later that afternoon and, based on what he had heard earlier, Howard made “inappropriate comments”.
The victim and the woman briefly left the campground, but when the man returned, he punched Howard, triggering a fight involving a third camper where “punches were thrown by all”.
Once the scuffle ended, Howard said he was off to get a machete from his caravan. He returned with the weapon and struck the victim once in the arm.
“There was no need at all for you to escalate the violence in the manner in which you did,” Justice Tamara Jago said in her published comments.
The injury was minor, requiring only butterfly bandages, but the victim has since suffered psychological impacts, including anxiety and financial strain from time away from his self-employment.
The court took into account Howard’s background, including a childhood marked by family violence and the mental health support he is receiving through an Aboriginal support service.
Justice Jago said “the use of a weapon to resolve grievances must be condemned” while acknowledging the early guilty plea showed remorse.
“You apparently now recognise that your conduct was very foolish and dangerous,” she said.
Howard was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
