Longstanding feud over escaped cattle lands former Southern Downs principal Darryl Charles William Laing in Warwick Magistrates Court

A well-respected former Southern Downs principal landed himself before a Warwick magistrate after a decade-long feud with a neighbour came to a head.

Darryl Charles William Laing, 65, pleaded guilty to common assault in Warwick Magistrates Court after he spat at his neighbour in September 2024.

A retired Southern Downs principal has been left “truly embarrassed” after a decade-long dispute with his neighbours landed him in court.

Darryl Charles William Laing pleaded guilty to common assault after the charge was downgraded from serious assault of a person over 60 in Warwick Magistrates Court on June 9.

The 65-year-old had engaged in a longstanding disagreement over the management of cattle with his Emu Vale neighbours.

Police prosecutor Phil Donaldson told the court how the incident occurred in September 2024, when Laing’s cattle escaped from his property and entered a paddock belonging to his neighbours.

The court was told an argument ensued after Laing’s neighbours alerted him to the situation.

Senior Constable Donaldson said Laing was standing at the window of their vehicle and during the argument spat towards a woman aged in her 70s, who was sitting in the vehicle, with his spittle entering the vehicle and landing on the woman’s dress.

The court was told Laing has had no further contact with his neighbours since the incident.

His solicitor Bonnie O’Brien of Hede, Byrne and Hall Lawyers told the court her client considered himself a well-respected and well-liked member of the Killarney community and his behaviour on this occasion was out of character.

“He is truly embarrassed and ashamed this matter has brought him before the court,” Ms O’Brien said.

Ms O’Brien asked the court to consider a small fine or good behaviour bond and no conviction be recorded, while Senior Constable Donaldson conceded a fine would be more suitable.

“Spitting is a particularly disgusting form of common assault,” he told the court.

Magistrate Janice Crawford acknowledged Laing’s obvious remorse and lack of criminal history, sentencing him to a two-month good behaviour bond.

“Given the incident happened in September last year, I’ve reduced the period to two-months,” Ms Crawford said.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Longstanding feud over escaped cattle lands former Southern Downs principal Darryl Charles William Laing in Warwick Magistrates Court