Lavi Junior Fono to be sentenced for assaulting SA Water worker in Paralowie road rage incident

A man became enraged when an SA Water car tried to reverse park next to his van – punching the driver and chasing him with an axe, a court has heard.

A father of three assaulted an SA Water worker and smashed his car with an axe when he became enraged over the man’s attempt at reverse parking, a court has heard.

On Monday, Magistrate David White said he needed time to consider an appropriate sentence for Lavi Junior Fono, 31, due to the number of files and defence submissions that gave “pause for thought”.

Fono, who has previously pleaded guilty to being present with two or more criminal organisation participants – namely Rebels bikies – punched his victim in the face during the “road rage in a carpark” attack, defence counsel said.

Lavi Fono. Photo: Facebook

Andrew Graham, for Fono, described the incident as “outrageous” – prompting the magistrate to say that was being “kind”.

Mr White said he needed to balance Fono’s history with his prospects of rehabilitation and “condemnation” to arrive at a “just” sentence.

“Perhaps there is some light at the end of the tunnel, and I need to delicately balance these matters,” he said.

The court heard an SA Water worker was reversing a company-branded vehicle into a parking space at the Paralowie shopping centre on November 4, 2022, next to a white van with its door open.

The victim stopped, and waited for the door to close before continuing into the space.

The court heard Fono approached the driver’s window, with the conversation becoming aggressive “immediately”.

Fono then punched the man in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose.

Police prosecutors told the court when the man attempted to record the number plate of the van to report the assault, Fono retrieved an axe from the van and ran across the carpark at him.

Fono then smashed the passenger side window with the axe, before the victim drove away.

Fono, of Highbury, pleaded guilty to assault, using an offensive weapon in a public place, damaging a motor vehicle or building, four counts of driving disqualified, four counts of breaching bail and a breach of bond.

The court heard Fono had a lengthy history, that included a number of violent offences including affray, fighting and domestic violence.

Mr Graham said Fono’s life had been split into two parts and he was now leaning into a more pro social aspect, including his role as a father and stepfather and running a gyprocking business with his brother.

“There is a real juxtaposition between different aspects of his life, he’s someone who has always been in employment, he is someone who comes from a nice family, he still goes to church … plays rugby, coached an under 8s rugby team … steps up to support his family,” Mr Graham said.

“Then there’s the less than desirable behaviour he sometimes displays … he tries to lean into those positive things, but sometimes goes overboard.”

Mr White adjourned Fono’s sentencing in the Elizabeth Magistrate Court until October.