Franky Kalterekia threatens to kill his boss after a workplace dispute at the Cottonvale farm

The Granite Belt farm worker claimed to be intoxicated when he made the violent threats to his manager while at work.

A Granite Belt man has lost his job after threatening to kill his boss during a workplace dispute. Photo: DANIELS GLENN / News Limited

A Granite Belt man who lost his job after threatening to kill his boss during a workplace dispute, claims his intoxicated and emotional state caused him to lash out.

The Stanthorpe Magistrates Court was told a Cottonvale farm manager had an altercation with Franky Kalterekia at 6am on June 1.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said the bad blood escalated to Kalterekia making serious threats against the other man.

“(Kalterekia) said ‘you’re a liar, you’re a cheat, I’m going to hit you and I’m going to kill you’,” Sergeant de Lissa said.

The 31-year-old was later located by police and taken to the Stanthorpe watch-house where he was charged.

Defence lawyer Amber Acreman said tensions arose over issues surrounding picking opportunities.

“He dealt with things in a way that he certainly shouldn’t have, perhaps with some courage by way of alcohol,” she said.

Ms Acreman said it was a very stressful time for her client as he had been unable to return to his home in Vanuatu due to Covid and had increased his alcohol consumption to deal with the stress.

“Your Honour, he’s quite disappointed in himself. It’s cost him his employment with those people he had been working with,” she said.

Magistrate Julian Noud noted Kalterekia separation from his family for more than a year had a detrimental impact on the 31-year-old’s emotional stability.

The Summit man pleaded to one count of threatening violence and was fined $200. No conviction was recorded.