Benjamin John Laing in Maroochydore court for threatening caravan park manager

A man who was chased into a Sunshine Coast caravan park and was ‘king hit’ by his attackers has been sentenced for threatening to burn the place down on the same night.

Benjamin John Laing leaving Maroochydore Courthouse.

A man who threatened a caravan park live-in manager he would burn down the premises was assaulted just hours beforehand, a court has been told.

Benjamin John Laing, 32, was more than an hour late to his sentencing in the Maroochydore District Court on October 1, claiming he had overslept due to poor sleep on previous days.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton told the court how the events in August last year unfolded.

Ms Hamilton said the victim of the threats was the live-in manager of Ingenia Holidays Rivershore in Diddillibah.

The court heard about 8.30pm on the day of the incident Laing had been asked to leave the caravan park, not by the victim, following a disturbance.

Ms Hamilton said about 10pm the same day Laing had called police to report he had been assaulted but then called the park’s manager just half an hour later.

During the call, Laing had demanded information about those who assaulted him, which the manager could not disclose.

This prompted Laing to leave several abusive voice messages with one threatening to burn down the caravan park, the court was told.

Ms Hamilton said the victim was fearful for himself, his family and guests of the caravan park.

Defence barrister Veronika Drago opened her submissions by handing a psychological report to judge Gary Long.

She told the court her client suffered from mental health issues including severe anxiety and struggled to use public transport, opting to use an e-scooter for his journeys.

Ms Drago said on the day of the offence Laing had been travelling home from Bli Bli on his e-scooter, which ran out of battery.

When he walked near the caravan park, three men jumped the fence and began to chase him, causing Laing to flee into the premises.

Ms Drago said her client was “king hit” during the assault.

The court heard police had attended the park to investigate the assault. No one has been charged in regard to the assault.

Ms Drago told the court Laing suffered ongoing jaw pain and headaches since he was punched and experiences increased anxiety and paranoia in public.

She also said her client would be allocated a carer to assist with his mental health.

Ms Hamilton told the court there was no evidence to suggest the assault had been unprovoked and described Laing’s actions as “vigilante behaviour”.

Judge Long sentenced him to 15 months’ probation.