George Charles Kassulke sentenced in Roma Magistrates Court for caravan park assault

A brawl that started over accusations of cut guitar strings and stolen possessions has ended in court, with one of the men involved sentenced.

George Charles Kassulke outside the Roma Magistrates Court on August 21, 2024.

A Roma man has appeared in court after a caravan park melee that left the victim bloodied after he was allegedly attacked by three men.

George Charles Kassulke pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court on August 21 to assault occasioning bodily harm while in company.

Kassulke was charged on November 23, after he was involved in a brouhaha at a Roma caravan park.

Police prosecutor Ellysha Geddes told the court Kassulke had been drinking at the Big Rig Caravan park with his two co-accused, when they were confronted by the victim, who lived and worked at the park.

The victim had returned to his cabin after work to find the strings of his guitar cut, his mobile phone stolen, his push bike stolen, as well as a hammer, tomahawk and machete, and had concluded that Kassulke and his co-accused were responsible.

Ms Geddes said the victim was particularly distressed about the guitar, as it had been a gift from his children.

After a verbal altercation, Ms Geddes said Kassulke threw two punches at the victim and missed, but a “melee” between the parties soon ensued.

The court heard the victim was left with lacerations to the head and other abrasions.

Ms Geddes said while Kassulke was not responsible for most of the victim’s injuries, he was involved in the altercation.

Kassulke, who appeared in the court self-represented, said before the altercation the victim threatened to “break his jaw” and that Kassulke himself was quickly knocked unconscious during the melee.

Magistrate Michael Wood conceded that the victim’s injuries were “primarily as a result of the actions of the co-accused”.

Mr Wood also said that Kassulke’s plea was not timely, having originally entered a plea of not guilty which caused a police brief of evidence to be ordered.

Kassulke was ultimately sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.