Aaron Gordon Neil Washington: Serial offender’s violent tantrum over drug deal ‘rip-off’

A man with 17 pages of criminal history exploded in a violent rage after what he thought was a shady deal over drugs, pulling a wrench from his pants and using it to smash up a car.

When a serial offender thought he got ripped off in a dodgy drug deal by his cousin, he armed himself with a wrench and smashed up her car.

Aaron Gordon Neil Washington, who the Dalby Magistrates Court was told had 17 pages of criminal history, made threats to his cousin that he would “bash her” as he pulled the tool from his shorts on May 25.

The court heard the altercation came after the 37-year-old and his cousin made a deal where she would sell a TV in exchange for drugs, but he felt she had taken advantage of him.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said the woman was scared to report the incident out of fear of what he might do to her, telling police he was on ice at the time and had a history of violence.

“He’s got numerous bodily harm offences, robbery with violence and entering premises; he had a four-year sentence,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

“When the court looks at his history, they are threats that he’s likely to actually carry out.

“Especially when he’s swinging items and causing damage to the vehicle its right for the victim to be fearful.”

Lawyer Julia Molloy said her client claimed he only agreed for his cousin to sell the TV for cash and acted out in anger when she returned with drugs.

Washington, who spent 50 days in pre-sentence custody, was also charged after being twice found sleeping in the toilets of a St George and Goondiwindi business.

Sergeant Hutchins said those charges appeared to have arisen out of the fact Washington had nowhere else to go.

The Blackwater man pleaded guilty to threatening to assault causing bodily harm and two counts of unlawful entering of a place of business.

He was sentenced to nine months’ jail, which was suspended for 18 months.