Peter Sargent sentenced for hitting 14-year-old son with his car in act of rage

An enraged father who was fed up with his teenage son drove at him with his 4WD, hitting him, before crashing into their family home with his daughters inside.

A father who was fed up with his son’s behaviour struck him in the head after driving at him with his car before ploughing into their family home.

Peter Graeme Sargent, 43, narrowly avoided jail in the Adelaide District Court on Friday after a domestic dispute ended with his son being hospitalised.

The court heard Sargent and his son, aged 14 at the time, were arguing on June 17, 2019.

“Your offending occurred against the background of an ongoing volatile relationship between you and your son,” Chief Judge Michael Evans said during sentencing.

Peter Sargent was sentenced in the Adelaide District Court on Friday for causing harm by driving. Photo: Facebook

“Just prior to the offence you and your son engaged in another argument concerning his behaviour and drug use … you say you started to film him and threatened to use this as evidence for the police,” Chief Judge Evans said.

“Your son retaliated by verbally abusing you … it was in this state that you got into the car and drove off.”

The court heard Sargent who was “angry and frustrated” returned a few minutes later to the Paralowie house where his partner and three children lived.

“You drove at speed over a roundabout and towards a house where your son was standing on a front porch,” Chief Judge Evans said.

“Your car clipped him as it crashed into the house. Your son was hospitalised and required surgery.

“The force of the impact on the house made a hole in the front of the house and garage.”

The Mitsubishi Pajero was only metres from hitting Sargent’s two daughters.

Sargent’s son, who miraculously only suffered minor injuries after being struck in the head by the car as it soared past was taken to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

Sargent, of Kingston on Murray, had previously pleaded guilty to causing harm by dangerous driving and property damage.

The court heard Sargent is currently employed in the Riverland as farm hand and forklift driver.

“You had health related issues which led to you losing your truck licence and your work as a truck driver,” Chief Judge Evans said.

The court heard Sargent struggled with mental health issues and has been diagnosed with ADHD.

“You say you had difficulties managing your anger as a child but you no longer feel that is an issue,” Chief Judge Evans said.

“You know you have caused your son a great deal of harm physically and emotionally, I accept that you did not intend to injure your son.

“However I am concerned that you have not accepted full responsibility for your actions.”

Chief Judge Evans sentenced Sargent to two years and four months jail, with a non-parole period of 15-months.

He ordered the sentence be served on home detention.

Sargent was also ordered to complete 80-hours of community service within 18-months and was disqualified from driving for ten years.