Stephen Francis Colley assaults cyclist in Landsborough

A Sunshine Coast motorist became so enraged after he heard a homophobic slur while driving in the hinterland he attacked a nearby cyclist on a busy road.

An angry Landsborough motorist decided to block the way of a cyclist along a busy road before attacking him because he thought he heard a homophobic slur.

Stephen Francis Colley, 49, mistakenly identified the rider as a person who said “f---ing f----ot” while driving through Landsborough on May 6, 2022.

Caloundra Magistrates Court heard the Landsborough man pulled over and used his car to stop the cyclist and punched the man in the face.

Police prosecutor Amanda Brewer said the attack was “entirely avoidable”.

Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper said the former gas worker thought he heard the complaint and misinterpreted the cyclist’s stance for “combative” when he pulled over.

Mr Cooper said thankfully there were no fractures with the victim suffering only bruising and swelling from the single punch.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said the facts stated the rider was in fact innocent and had not said the slur at all.

“This type of violence happens too often in our community,” Ms Benson said.

Colley pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to nine months’ probation, with a conviction recorded.