Jason Berg pleads guilty to assault causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

A court has heard a man was struck by a vehicle and thrown off the bonnet during an argument involving several people.

WITH booze and ice in his system, an angry man jumped into his car and aimed it toward a neighbour after a heated dispute turned ugly.

The neighbour was struck by the Holden Commodore and thrown from the bonnet, with the driver Jason Berg leaving a cloud of smoke.

Berg’s driving during the incident was likened to using a vehicle as a weapon, Ipswich Magistrates Court heard.

Berg, a former wedding photographer, was apparently siding with another neighbour who he felt sorry for in an ongoing Ipswich street feud when the violence erupted.

Nearly three years after the violence the police prosecution case against Jason Wade Berg, 39, was finalised.

Berg, of Lowood, pleaded guilty to five charges including unlawful assault causing bodily harm in company at Brassall on September 19, 2018; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle; DUI; obstructing police; and making unnecessary noise/smoke.

The court heard that the delay in prosecution was due to his case going before the mental health court for a determination.

When Berg was found to be fit to plead, the charges returned to the magistrates court to be finalised.

Prosecutor Sergeant Rose Molinaro said a man had been injured in an altercation that night and Berg was party to the assault committed by another person.

Sgt Molinaro said a resident reported seeing men arguing in the street about 8pm, then a car engine revving “ridiculously loud”.

When she told them to stop, two males yelled abuse.

Jason Berg claimed he was standing up for another neighbour when he got involved in a violent dispute.

Sgt Molinaro said a man was seen punching another male, then Berg‘s co-accused was seen to jump on him.

The court heard Berg punched the male to the right side of his face.

Sgt Molinaro said Berg got into a white Holden Commodore, reversed from a driveway and did a large burnout.

He drove to a bus shelter where he hit something, with a witness saying there was a bang.

The car was turned around and driven straight toward a male standing on the nature strip, where the male was struck and thrown off the bonnet.

The car then reversed and drove off.

The court heard the victim was able to get up after being struck by the car and did not suffer ongoing injuries.

Sgt Molinaro said the main offender received a two-year probation order for the charge of assault causing bodily harm.

He was not involved in the car incident.

Defence lawyer David Rawnsley said although a jail term was in range, Berg’s lack of criminal history and ongoing mental health challenges had to be taken into account.

There had also been his problematic use of alcohol and illicit substances.

Detailed medical reports were tended for Magistrate Andy Cridland to read.

“He no longer has alcohol or drug addictions,” Mr Rawnsley said.

The court heard the context of the offences was a neighbourhood dispute which had been going on for five years.

Berg had felt sorry for the co-accused and went to his home for social drinks.

“He accepts he made a terrible decision and acted very badly, and went too far,” he said.

“His intention was to stand up for Derek (the co-accused).“

Magistrate Cridland said the written facts before him “don’t paint a nice picture at all”.

He noted there had been “a great deal of taunting” from the neighbour who was assaulted, with the overall behaviour described as disgusting.

“The fact that the person was not injured (by the car) was more a matter of luck,” he said.

Finding there had been significant intoxication by Berg that impaired his judgment, Mr Cridland said a prison term should be imposed.

Berg was sentenced to an 18-month jail order with immediate parole. He received lengthy terms of driver disqualification.