Michael Raymond Pagett in court for assault

A former photographer threw rocks at his neighbour and hit her son with a plank of wood - then he took on the police officers who came to reason with him.

Michael Raymond Pagett at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on January 29, 2024.

A Urangan photographer who assaulted a mother and son on two separate occasions as well as a police officer who was trying to arrest him was given a suspended jail sentence in Hervey Bay on Monday.

Michael Raymond Pagett, 57, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one of assaulting a police officer when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

On July 22, 2023, on Boat Harbour Drive at 5pm, Pagett was seen striking the fence separating him and his neighbour, the first victim’s mother, repeatedly with a plank in an effort “to rile up” their two dogs in the backyard.

The victim on this occasion, the son of the woman who owned the property, approached the fence to confront Pagett, who verbally abused him and then swung the plank of wood at his head, the court heard.

The victim then put his hands above his head to protect himself but was struck and suffered bruising to both hands.

Police were called to the address, with a formal complaint of assault being lodged.

The dispute between the neighbours flared up again on July 27, 2023, when the property owner was struck on the leg by a rock Pagett threw.

The court was told at 1pm the 45-year-old victim saw Paggett “hurling abuse” at her dogs, once again “to try and stir them up”.

Pagett then raised himself above the fence line and threw the rock at the victim.

Michael Raymond Pagett at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on January 29, 2024.

“I am going to come over there and cut you up,” he then said.

The court heard that when police knocked on his door to discuss the matter with Pagett, they got no answer.

Walking back to their vehicle, Pagett shouted abuse at them before slamming the door shut and locking it.

Upon gaining entry to the dwelling, a police officer grabbed Pagett, who responded by punching him in the chest.

This resulted in police restraining him before transporting him to Hervey Bay Police Station where he was charged.

Pagett’s lawyer Ria Ku told the court “my client receives a disability pension as well as being the carer for his elderly mother who has dementia and trouble walking”.

“He worked as a photographer for over 13 years and through this, contributed to society, but the side effects of his epilepsy medication meant he can no longer work in the field.”

Along with epilepsy, Ms Ku said her client has osteoporosis and was “suffering with mental anguish due to having not slept well because of this dispute”.

“His numerous physical ailments had resulted in him having a low tolerance with his neighbours,” she said.

She said the disputes he had been having were isolated with the one property as “his neighbours on the other side have reported no issue with him”.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie sentenced Paggett to nine months jail for each assault on the mother and son and three months for the assault of the police officer, all suspended for 12 months.

Convictions were recorded.

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