Altercation at Thebarton scrap metal business allegedly leads to employee being run down

A Blair Athol man was so unimpressed a Thebarton business closed at midday on the weekend he allegedly hit one of its employees with his vehicle, twice, a court has heard.

A Blair Athol man has appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with endangering life. Picture: Kaysee Miller

A Blair Athol man allegedly ran down a worker at a Thebarton scrap metal yard, hitting him twice, after being told the business was closed at midday on Saturday, a court heard.

Shane Anthony Matherson, 49, appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court via video-link on Tuesday, charged with the basic offences of causing harm with intent and endangering life.

Police arrested Matherson on Saturday afternoon.

It followed police and paramedics being called to Murray Street, Thebarton, just after midday by reports a pedestrian had been hit by a van.

The metal yard employee, a 51-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

In his court appearance, Matherson applied for bail, which was opposed by the police prosecutor, due to the seriousness of the allegations.

“The prosecution case is that the victim was at work and he was due to close (the business) at 12pm,” the police prosecutor said.

“There was a vehicle parked across the exit. The victim has come out and explained to the driver that they were closed for the day.”

An altercation at a Thebarton scrap metal yard on the weekend has landed a man in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Kaysee Miller

The driver allegedly left but then returned, and was told again that the business was closed.

“The driver has basically pushed the victim into and against up a parked vehicle,” the police prosecutor said.

The court heard the alleged victim fell to the ground and other employees at the business came out to assist.

“While they were trying to see if he was OK, the defendant has come back and (allegedly) driven over the victim,” the police prosecutor said.

The court heard the alleged victim’s right shoulder, forearm and hand were driven over and he had sustained significant soft tissue damage.

Defence for Matherson said he was contesting the police’s version of events.

The defence lawyer said she was in the process of obtaining CCTV of the incident and that Matherson would provide footage he recorded on his mobile phone.

Magistrate Paul Foley said he would consider home detention and ordered a report be completed.

The matter will next come back to the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court later this month.