Goran Siljanovski sentenced for punching windscreen to intimidate driver at Carlton

A professional driver had a “brain snap” when he punched a woman’s windscreen, cracking it, because she took too long to turn a corner in Sydney’s south, a court has heard.

Goran Siljanovski pleaded guilty to intimidation and damaging property. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A professional driver had a “brain snap” when he punched a woman’s windscreen, cracking it, because she took too long to turn a corner in Sydney’s south in a terrifying road rage incident, a court has heard.

Goran Siljanovski was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court after he pleaded guilty to intimidation and damaging property.

Agreed facts tendered to court said Siljanovski was driving a car when he stopped behind another driver waiting for traffic lights to turn green at the Princes Hwy and Jubilee Ave, Carlton.

The female driver was taking some time to turn the corner prompting Siljanovski to start honking his car horn repeatedly until the car in front turned.

Siljanovski then followed closely behind the other car, flashed his high beam lights before he crossed to the other side of the road, overtook the car then slammed on his brakes.

Goran Siljanovski was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court.

Siljanovski got out of his car and started yelling at the woman and her passenger in English and another language.

He then used his fist to punch the windscreen, causing a large crack in driver’s side.

The female driver locked the car doors before Siljanovski approached the driver’s side door and attempted to open it.

He walked away, turned back to continue swearing, before he drove away.

The driver reported the road rage to police and Siljanovski was arrested on December 16, where he made full admissions.

In court, Siljanovski lawyer William Brewer said his client, who works as a driver for a living, became angry after the passenger in the other car gave him the finger but noted Siljanovski did not intend to break the windscreen however accepted he was “reckless”.

Mr Brewer noted a psychological report said Siljanovski was punched in the face by another driver when he was stopped at a traffic light in 2021 which left him with depression, hyper vigilant and anxious.

The report also noted Siljanovski had a “low threshold for frustration and lost trust in others”.

Mr Brewer submitted Siljanovski was “triggered and had a brain snap”, adding his actions were “completely out of character” which was confirmed by character references.

The court heard Siljanovski had paid for the damage and had sought mental health counselling.

Magistrate Philip Stewart accepted Siljanovski was suffering from the mental health conditions which were now being treated; that his actions were out of character and he was remorseful.

“This is a road rage incident appearing to be borne out of a frustration for the slowness of the vehicle in front turning right and the belief someone gave him the bird,” he said.

“Whether the bird was given, it was unlikely to have occurred but for the defendant sounding the horn.

“The victim was seated in a car and effectively unable to remove herself from that position.”

Mr Stewart convicted Siljanovski and fined him $750.

Originally published as Goran Siljanovski sentenced for punching windscreen to intimidate driver at Carlton