Strathalbyn father Brenton Lienert spared jail after running down innocent teen after months of abuse by boy’s friends

After months of “vile” racial abuse towards his wife and kids by local teens in his small town, this dad snapped and drove his car at them. But he hit an innocent boy.

A Strathalbyn man who “snapped” and intentionally ran down an innocent teenager visiting friends blamed for vile racial abuse has been spared jail.

On Friday, Judge Heath Barklay handed down his sentence for Brenton Kevin Lienert, a 53-year-old father of two, who

committed the offence after attempts to stop the then 15-year-old boy‘s friends.

“Your offending represents quite a cathartic expression of anger and resentment towards the victim because your previous attempts to stop the harassment failed,” Judge Barklay said.

Judge Barklay condemned Lienert’s “vigilante” attempt to stop the harassment.

Brenton Kevin Lienert has been spared jail after running down an innocent teenager. Picture: Facebook

His Honour said Lienert had been assessed to have a “learning disorder”, which made him “an intellectually unsophisticated man” who “copes poorly under stress”.

The court heard Lienert, of Strathalbyn, had on multiple occasions “downplayed” his involvement in the offending – which was contradictory to CCTV evidence of the offending.

Lienert pleaded guilty to one count of causing harm with intent to cause harm, and one count of driving in a manner dangerous to the public.

The charges arose after a crash in Strathalbyn on December 2, 2023.

Previously during sentencing submissions, the boy – who was 15 when he was hit by Lienert’s car – sat in the public gallery with his family as prosecutors read his victim impact statement to the court.

The court heard the boy had broken multiple bones in his leg and been forced to “put his future” on hold to recover.

Brenton Kevin Lienert and his wife leave court after the “vile abuse” they endured was explained. Picture: Leah Smith

Oliver Morris, for Lienert, previously told the court the details of the six-month “sustained campaign” of “the most vile abuse” and racial slurs.

Judge Barklay said the abuse included “scare tactics” such as banging on doors late at night, graffiti on the home and cars, glass thrown at the home and abuse yelled in the street.

The boy who was hit is not accused of any wrongdoing, or participation in the racial abuse.

The court heard a number of letters of support were tendered on behalf of Mr Lienert detailing he was held in “high regard” by the community and his employer.

Judge Barklay said it was to Lienert’s credit he pleaded guilty and rang the police immediately after running down the boy.

His Honour sentenced Lienert to two years and one month in jail with a non-parole period of 14 months and suspended the sentence on a three-year good behaviour bond.

Lienert will be subject to supervision for two years of the bond.

Judge Barklay ordered he served a further six-month licence suspension as the mandatory minimum 12 months had expired.