Ernest Robert Botting pleads guilty to serious assault and stealing in Caloundra Magistrates Court

An 80-year-old man who assaulted a woman and stole medication and a phone from her has faced Caloundra Magistrates Court.

An 80-year-old man who assaulted an elderly woman and stole from her was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for a year, in Caloundra Magistrates Court.

Ernest Robert Botting, of Glasshouse Mountains pleaded guilty on July 22, 2022, to charges including one count of unlawfully assaulting a person over 60 and one count of stealing.

The assault occurred on February 5, 2022, at Glasshouse Mountains and arose from an argument over a car that escalated into a tug-of-war between the defendant and a woman over a handbag.

Botting stole the woman’s medication and her mobile phone on that same date.

Barrister Mark Dixon said the defendant was remorseful and that Botting did not think he would be before a court for such offending at his age.

Ernest Robert Botting.

He said there were no lasting injuries to the woman as a result of the incident.

The barrister said the defendant had worked in the construction industry, in furniture removal and had also transported large equipment in his working life.

The barrister said the defendant was on an old age pension and paying a fine would be difficult for him.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said she had taken into account the defendant’s early pleas of guilty and lack of criminal history.

She said the sentence must send a clear message about the behaviour that it was not acceptable and not tolerable.

“I must balance those things when I consider the sentence to be imposed,” she said.

She said the barrister’s submission that a good behaviour bond may be appropriate did not reflect the seriousness of the offences, and that a significant fine was also inappropriate.

She said probation was also not an appropriate option.

Magistrate Benson sentenced Botting to six months imprisonment for the serious assault of a person over 60, and one month imprisonment for the stealing offence, to be served concurrently.

The magistrate wholly suspended the prison sentence for 12 months and a conviction was recorded.