Prominent Chinchilla businessman in court for assault

A local businessman faced Chinchilla court after he launched an attack on a man he had been feuding with for over a decade. DETAILS INSIDE:

CHARGED: Chinchilla businessman Simon John Burke faced Chinchilla court for assault and trespass. Pic: Supplied.

A decade long feud between two Chinchilla men ended with prominent businessman, Simon John Burke, fronting court for an assault charge.

The Chinchilla Magistrate Court heard Burke drove to a Chinchilla man’s home, where he verbally abused and attacked a man known to him.

Police prosecutor sergeant Chris Hutchins said the fight happened at 6pm on July 25, when Burke got out of his car and yelled, “you dog c—nt,” while walking towards the man standing at his front door.

“(Burke) then punched the victim in the nose with his fist,” he said.

Sergeant Hutchins said after stumbling, the victim landed a punch to Burke’s chin, but quickly took another blow to his face which disorientated him.

The brawl then moved to the driveway, where Sergeant Hutchins said Burke headbutted the 46-year-old man in the face before his wife broke up the fight.

“The victim had pain and discomfort to his nose, face, ribs, back, and a grazed knee,” he said.

The court heard hostility had been building between the businessman and the victim for 12 years, partly over rumours that had been spread around the small country town.

In court on Thursday, May 6, Burke pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and trespassing.

Magistrate Tracy Mossop said the father should consider himself lucky the victim wasn’t seriously hurt and commended him for engaging in counselling for anger and alcohol management.

“Sometimes people do stupid things and those stupid things bring them before court – obviously you’re a candidate for that,” she said.

“I think your own ego got the better of you on that day.”

Magistrate Mossop said she was appalled by Burke’s language and detested the use of the word ‘c—t’.

“I want to see it stopped being used in the community… I don’t want it to gain the same pace as the F-word… which is offensive in relation to sex offences against children,” she warned.

Burke was fined $1800 for both offences and had been ordered to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim.

Magistrate Tracy Mossop said she would not record a conviction as it might cause more adverse penalties to Burke as his business was looking to expand internationally.