Shane Anthony Matherson, 53, stands trial for allegedly twice running over scrap metal yard employee in 2021 at Thebarton

A panicked man was “trying to escape” an armed group at a scrap metal yard when he ran one over twice with his van, a court has heard.

A man in a state of “panic and distress” was trying to escape a group of men armed with a machete and an axe when he twice hit a scrap metal yard worker with his van, a court has heard.

Shane Anthony Matherson, 53, is standing trial in the District Court before Judge Geraldine Davison without a jury, charged with endangering the life of Denron Metals employee Craig Hatchard on March 6, 2021.

On Tuesday, prosecution told the court Mr Matherson, of Blair Athol, attended the scrap metal yard on the corner of West Thebarton Rd and Murray St at closing time, when Mr Hatchard told him the business was shut before swearing and telling him to move his car.

Mr Hatchard then hit the windscreen of the van – causing it to crack – prompting Mr Matherson to drive the van forward, the court heard.

He is then alleged to have rammed Mr Hatchard with his car, causing him to be pinned between the side of the van and a white vehicle parked on the side of the road. Mr Hatchard then fell to the ground on the road.

Police interview employees at the scrap metal yard in 2021. Picture: Emma Brasier

Mr Matherson allegedly reversed the van briefly, before a number of employees involved in the confrontation surrounded him.

The court was told that upon being alerted to the incident, Mr Hatchard’s brother Jamie Hatchard armed himself with a machete while a customer armed himself with an axe.

Police allege Mr Matherson then drove his car down the street’s cul-de-sac and returned at speed, hitting the employee a second time – running over his arm and shoulder.

Mr Matherson has pleaded not guilty, with his counsel saying his actions were that of a “distressed and panicked man who was trying to escape”.

“I’d like to highlight, Your Honour, that immediately after the windscreen broke, my client reversed in order to avoid running Mr Hatchard over. When he did reverse, he was set upon by a number of workers,” defence counsel said.

Police interview employees at the scrap metal yard in 2021. Picture: Emma Brasier

“He moved away and that, Your Honour, would have been the last of it but unknown to him, it was a dead-end road. He drove up the road, turned his vehicle around – he had no alternative – (and) saw a group of men standing on the road – some of them armed with weapons. He was concerned for his own safety, he was terrified and he was panicking. He was concerned that they may try and block him and if he did stop his vehicle, he would be maliciously assaulted. He feared for his life at that point in time.

“He says he didn’t see Craig Hatchard lying on the road – he was focused quite understandably on his brother who was wielding a raised weapon.”

The trial continues on Wednesday, when Major Crash investigator Darren Hayes is expected to give evidence.