David Champion jailed for attacking car buyer with gun

A car seller has viciously bashed an elderly man with a gun before pointing it at him because he felt “cheated” by the deal.

A drug-fuelled car seller viciously bashed an elderly man with a gun, leaving him requiring 23 stitches.

David Steven Champion, 41, was jailed for six years after he launched the violent attack on the unsuspecting man because he felt cheated by the sale.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Champion sold a vehicle to the victim for $2000 after advertising it on Gumtree in November 2021.

In March 2022 Champion sent the victim, who was in his 70s, a text message asking if he would sell the vehicle back to him.

After some failed meetings, Champion attended the victim’s Woodville Park warehouse in March 2023.

Champion asked the victim where the nearest bank was and the victim turned to check the computer.

David Champion was jailed for six years after bashing an elderly man with a gun. Picture: File

The court heard Champion pulled a firearm from his jacket and struck the victim to the back of the head with the firearm as he sat with his back to him.

“You hit him with the firearm several times, resulting in a scuffle, with (the victim) falling to the ground,” Judge Joanne Tracey said.

The court heard Champion continued to strike the victim while he was on the ground and appeared to point the firearm at him.

Champion then grabbed the keys from the victim’s desk and got into the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

The victim grabbed a carjack handle and ran outside, trying to open the car door.

“He smashed the driver’s side window with the carjack in an attempt to stop you,” Judge Tracey said.

“You began to kick (the victim) through the smashed front driver’s window.”

Champion, of Elizabeth Downs, pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent, theft using force and possessing a firearm without a licence.

The victim was conveyed to hospital and was treated for multiple lacerations to his face, head, elbow, forearm and finger, with his wounds requiring a total of 23 stitches.

The court heard Champion had “seller’s regret” and felt cheated by the sale after believing the vehicle was worth much more than $2000.

The court heard Champion – who was drug affected on the day of the offending – was very remorseful and realised his violence was inappropriate.

Champion was sentenced to six years and nine months jail, with a non-parole period of four years.

“Mr Champion, this was a terrifying and sustained ordeal for the victim, who posed no threat to you,” Judge Tracey said.

“In his statement (the victim) says that while the physical scars will heal in time, the emotional scars will stay with him and his family forever.”

The sentence was backdated to June 2, 2023.