Clifford Allan Clegg sentenced for assault occasioning bodily harm

A former paramedic said he was trying to help when he struck the mother of a child who was stuck in a pram during a bizarre incident at a shopping centre.

Clifford Allan Clegg was given a $1000 good behaviour bond for two years on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. Picture: Social media

A former paramedic said his post-traumatic stress disorder was behind a bizarre shopping centre incident where he struck a mother of a child who was stuck in a pram, a court has heard.

Clifford Allan Clegg was given a $1000 good behaviour bond for two years on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said people were trying to get a child out of a pram or toy when Clegg approached the group.

“ … (Clegg) intercepted himself into the situation and struck the complainant, who is the mother of that child, when he felt she was not listening to him,” she said.

The court heard the mother suffered a shoulder injury as a result of being pushed forward by Clegg.

She had ongoing pain and restricted range of movement.

Senior Constable Lambert said the maximum penalty for assault occasioning bodily harm was seven years in prison.

She said a period of actual imprisonment would be in range for the unprovoked violence in a public place, however, suggested a significant fine for the offending.

Duty lawyer Michael Robinson said the former long-term paramedic suffered from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Robinson said Clegg had a stressful morning before he went to the shopping centre to meet with his daughter.

When he couldn’t find her he was triggered by the busy environment and stumbled across the group of people gathering around the child.

Mr Robinson said Clegg, who had experience in removing children from similar situations, believed he could help the child without causing the distress he thought the child was experiencing.

Mr Robinson said Clegg didn’t know the woman he struck was the child’s mother and had misinterpreted the situation.

“He had no intention of hurting this woman and was endeavouring to help and believed at the time she was impeding the efforts to help …,” he said.

He said the circumstances around the offending including Clegg’s mental health and lack of history significantly reduced the culpability of the offending.

Mr Robinson said the 73-year-old had limited funds and suggested a good behaviour bond.

Magistrate Rod Madsen told the court the woman did identify herself to Clegg as the child’s mother but understood his mental state may have meant he didn’t understand.

Mr Madsen suggested a period of probation.

Mr Robinson said Clegg’s mental health meant he struggled in public settings and said he wouldn’t be able to comply with probation.

Given the circumstances Mr Madsen placed Clegg on the good behaviour bond and ordered him to pay $600 in compensation to the victim.

A conviction was recorded.