Shane Andrew Davies in court for assault

An ex property manager doing 45km/h on a regional road north of Gympie has faced court after swerving into the car he claimed was tailgating him, and then going after the driver when he stopped at an intersection.

A former real estate property manager went off the rails when another man overtook him on a country road near Gympie in early 2022.

Shane Andrew Davies pleaded guilty to common assault on a stranger in Gympie Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 27.

The 50-year-old Curra man was doing about 45km/h on Curra Estate Road towards Gympie on the morning of January 8, 2022, in a Nissan Navara, the court heard.

A car approaching from behind changed lanes to overtake Davies, and his Nissan suddenly swerved towards the overtaking car, frightening the driver and forcing him to dodge off the road into the gravel.

The driver continued his journey into Gympie after the incident, stopping to give way at a Bruce Highway intersection.

As he was waiting for traffic to clear, Davies’ car stopped behind him and Davies got out with a torch slung over his shoulder, the court heard.

In an “aggressive manner,” Davies stormed to the stranger’s car, tapping on the glass window with the 40cm long metal torch.

Police prosecutor Vicki Kennedy-Grills told the court the man inside the car eventually rolled down his window to ask what the problem was.

“What’s your f------ problem back there?” Davies said.

Davies bashed the man’s forearm with the torch until it slipped out of his grip and flew into the man’s car, the court heard.

In a panic, the man reversed into Davies’ Nissan and took off on the Bruce Highway to immediately report to police.

The injuries, while not serious, required the man to take painkillers, Sergeant Kennedy-Grills told the court – $500 compensation was sought for the victim.

Police interviewed Davies on January 25, but he initially denied involvement.

Shane Andrew Davies pleaded guilty to one count of common assault in Gympie Magistrates Court on September 27, 2022.

He said he did not think his blows connected on the victim, and that he had been tailgated.

Davies admitted he felt bad about his “big mistake” and was transported to the Gympie Watch House and charged.

His lawyer Neesha Maidwell told the court Davies has been on a disability pension for 16 years due to various medical conditions.

He worked as a property manager for Ray White Real Estate beforehand, Ms Maidwell told the court.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan said he was surprised Davies was not charged for “using his car as a weapon”.

He said it was “outrageous” behaviour and a “lack of consideration”.

Davies was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $500 compensation to the victim. A conviction was recorded.