Adam Samuel Barton pleads guilty to unlawful use of Holden Commodore

A work dispute led to a veiled death threat after a 38-year-old American car importer refused to give up his former employee’s Holden Commodore after he quit.

A 38-year-old American car importer threatened to shoot a former employee in the head during a phone call over a work dispute involving a Holden Commodore.

An employee had been doing maintenance work for Black Mountain man Adam Samuel Barton in October, 2018 when he had left his $30,000 car at his property.

Noosa Magistrates Court heard the employee quit in December, 2018 and tried to retrieve his Holden Commodore from the 38-year-old’s home.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said Barton wouldn’t return the man’s vehicle unless he gave him $2000.

The court heard the victim returned to Barton’s home in March, 2019 while he was in America and tried to give Barton’s wife $350 for his vehicle back.

Sergeant Nitschke said Barton called the employee and said he would “put a bullet through his head” if he came onto his property while he was overseas.

Eventually on August 28, 2020 Barton was intercepted by police over the matter and was eventually charged.

Defence lawyer Bernard Bradley said the Holden Commodore went missing while Barton was in America and he wasn’t responsible for its theft.

Mr Bradley then told the court the Black Mountain man had a successful business importing custom American cars and sunglasses and even sponsored motocross.

Barton pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a motor vehicle and was fined $1000, with a conviction recorded.