Jason Steinert, 44, convicted over smashing Geelong taxi windshield over declined cab charge

A magistrate has warned a Geelong man he is “going to end up very close to jail” after he smashed a cab driver’s windshield over a declined cab charge card.

Jason Steinert appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday over damage to a Geelong taxi. Photo: Facebook.

A magistrate has warned a Geelong man he is “going to end up very close to jail” after he smashed a taxi driver’s windshield over a declined cab charge card.

Jason Steinert, 44, pleaded guilty to property damage after an incident in Bell Park on October 5 last year, the Geelong Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday.

The court was told a driver for the Geelong Taxi Network responded to a pick up notice from Mr Steinert at the address about 10.10pm, who became “aggravated” when his card was declined due to insufficient funds.

First Constable Alex Turner told the court he then walked to the back of the car and swung his suitcase towards the rear windscreen “out of frustration.”

“The suitcase has connected with the rear windscreen, causing it to shatter,” the court heard. The victim attended the Geelong police station about 20 minutes later and provided a statement.

Steinert made full admissions the following day, telling police “he was aggravated I guess, and annoyed at the services”.

His defence lawyer Louis Robertson told the court his client had been dealing with anger management issues and that his substance abuse had escalated in recent years.

The court was told he was already serving a Community Corrections Order of 100 hours, of which only “four-and-a-half” had been completed.

“He is acknowledging that he really hasn’t attended to his court obligations in a satisfactory manner,” Mr Robertson said.

Jason Steinert. Photo: Facebook.

Constable Turner told the court the victim had “felt stressed about what happened” and lost a night’s work because of the incident.

“He was just doing his job,” he said.

Magistrate Franz Holzer told the accused taxi drivers “were entitled to feel safe in their workplace.”

Steinert was ordered to pay a $500 fine and restitution of $352 for the windscreen damage.

“Your history starts for someone who is now, dare I say it, middle aged, pretty late in your life,” Mr Holzer said.

“I’ve heard the context of that, but you are going to have to explore within yourself as to why that is occurring.

“On this trajectory, particularly if you are doing corrections orders and you’re not going brilliantly on that, you are going to end up very close to jail.

“That is the next step.” 

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Jason Steinert, 44, convicted over smashing Geelong taxi windshield over declined cab charge