Maxwell Robert Williams sentenced for serious assault of 66yo neighbour over long-running dispute

A Bundaberg dad knocked three of his neighbour’s teeth out in an assault that was the culmination of years of arguments over backyard fires.

Maxwell Robert Williams pleaded guilty to serious assault in Bundaberg District Court in relation to a long-running dispute with his neighbour.

A long-running neighbourhood dispute came to a fiery end with a Bundaberg dad knocking some of his 66-year-old neighbour’s teeth out, a court heard.

Maxwell Robert Williams pleaded guilty at Bundaberg District Court on Friday, April 28 to one count of serious assault of a person aged over 60.

The court heard that Williams, aged 51 at the time of the offence and father of two children, had a long-running dispute with his neighbour over backyard fires on his Norville property.

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The court was told that over several years Williams, a self-employed fencer, had lit fires near a commercial storage shed in his yard, adjacent to his neighbour’s property.

Smoke from the fire became a point of contention, with the neighbour lodging complaints with Bundaberg Regional Council and a property manager.

Williams told police that there had been “a lot of years of bulls--t” between himself and the neighbour.

The court was told that the issues came to a head on August 11, 2021, when the neighbour walked past Williams’ property around 6pm and saw a fire burning.

The neighbour shouted at Williams who responded, “let’s put this to an end once and for all”.

Williams approached the neighbour and punched him in the head, causing him to fall to his knees.

Williams then punched the neighbour in the mouth area approximately 12 further times until the neighbour screamed at him to stop.

The neighbour called police and was taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital with injuries including multiple contusions to his head, temple and ear and three missing teeth.

The court heard that the neighbour had incurred $10,000 in dental fees to fix his missing teeth.

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Williams declined a police interview when approached, but later visited the station to tell police that there had been “years of bulls--t” between himself and the neighbour.

Defence barrister Philip Hardcastle said Williams had been “sitting around the fire minding his own business, having a knock-off drink” when the neighbour called out to him.

Judge Paul Smith KC said of Williams “I think you’re a decent person, although I think you lost the plot this particular day”.

Mr Hardcastle told the court that Williams “lost it” following the long-running disagreements.

He said Williams had previously complied with council directions to minimise inconvenience caused by the fires.

The court was told Williams was “extremely sorry” and no longer lived at the Norville property.

Judge Paul Smith KC took into account Williams’ early guilty plea.

“I think you’re a decent person, although I think you lost the plot this particular day,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith ordered a 12 months suspended sentence with Williams to pay $2000 compensation.