Labourer Caileb Kramer jailed for Nambour lawn mower assault
A disagreement about the time of day a man was mowing his lawn has acted as the catalyst for a brutal attack by a Sunshine Coast labourer who punched and bit his victim.
Police & Courts
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A Sunshine Coast labourer has been sent to jail for his bizarre attack of a man and his wife over a lawnmower.
Maroochydore District Court heard on Monday that Caileb Wayne Kramer’s violent attack on the couple on September 4, 2022 was due to a disagreement about the time of the day his victim was mowing.
The 24-year-old, supported by his family in court, accepted responsibility for the brazen bashing after he pleaded guilty to serious assault and common assault.
Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton said the victim, who was over 60 at the time, was mowing his lawn about 6pm when he was approached by Kramer and his partner.
Ms Hamilton said Kramer asked the victim “what do you think you’re f---ing doing, you’re mowing at 7 o’clock at night.”
Kramer unloaded a barrage of abuse on the victim who was stunned, and told the 24-year-old labourer it was none of his business.
A bizarre exchange occurred where the victim drove at the Bli Bli man on his lawnmower before Kramer ripped off a part of the vehicle.
Kramer’s girlfriend dropped some of her things after this, with the victim helping her pick the items up.
Ms Hamilton said while the victim was doing this he told the girlfriend to take Kramer home and “put him to bed”.
The court was told Kramer shaped up to the victim when his family came outside to defuse the situation.
The prosecutor said the victim’s wife tried to intervene however Kramer pushed her backwards and she fell over.
Kramer then punched the victim in the face, which prompted the victim to lunge at the 24-year-old, before both fell to the ground where the older man hit his head.
The scuffle continued involving the victim, Kramer and some of the man’s family.
At one point the older man had Kramer in a headlock before the Bli Bli man bit him on his hand to release the grip.
Kramer’s relative, who was living nearby, came and took Kramer with him however the 24-year-old returned a short time later yelling for the victim to come back outside.
Ms Hamilton said the victim suffered a bruise to his head and abrasions to his legs while his wife sustained severe back pain following the assault.
The prosecutor said Kramer showed “irrational violence” to innocent people during the incident and made no genuine effort for rehab.
Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown said the labourer was still very young, had not shown violent tendencies since he was charged and reduced his alcohol use.
Judge Gary Long activated Kramer’s previous two year suspended sentence and also added six months jail to his punishment.
He will be released on parole on October 13.