Windsor man sentenced for striking ‘hooning’ teen with Ford F150, before fleeing ‘angry mob’ grieving death of mate

A father who tried to frighten a “hooning” teen with his $100k ute ended up hitting him – and was immediately chased by an “angry mob” grieving the death of a mate.

A father who ran down a “hooning” teen on his bike was forced to immediately flee an “angry mob” grieving the death of a friend, which then destroyed his $100k ute, a court has heard.

On Monday, “well respected” father of two John Bateman, 55, was sentenced in the District Court for hitting the teen with his Ford F150 ute as a series of events sparked by drunk young men riding quad bikes spiralled out of control in a small country town.

He had pleaded guilty to recklessly causing harm and driving without due care.

The man had approached the “grossly intoxicated” youths in June 2022 to ask them to avoid driving their pit and quad bikes on the verges outside his Windsor home, 60km north of Adelaide, because it was sending rocks flying, Judge Paul Muscat, said.

They told him to “get lost” and a neighbour called the police, who said they were unlikely to attend the incident soon.

A Ford F150.

Bateman’s son drove to speak with the group, received a “threatening” response and was challenged to a fight that he declined.

The “frustrated” man then drove to the property where a party was being held in honour of the recently deceased owner.

On the way, Bateman decided to drive his ute at one of the youths on a pit bike to “frighten him”, Judge Muscat said – but his wheels locked and the 17-year-old was struck by Bateman’s car.

The teen suffered minor bruising to his knee and pain in his shin, but after the impact the group “came out like a swarm of angry ants”.

“(They were clearly going after you for what you did,” Judge Muscat said. “You quickly reversed your F150 to get away. By now, you were being chased by an angry mob.”

In a panic, Bateman drove away over the bike, which became lodged under the truck as he headed down Old Port Wakefield Road, “leaving a line of sparks and fire in its trail”.

Bateman was able to drive off and then got into his son’s car, abandoning the truck – which was “trashed” by the group.

Bateman had also called the police as members of the group had given chase.

Judge Muscat said there was fault on both sides, but “two wrongs do not make a right”.

“What you did clearly exemplifies that saying,” Judge Muscat said.

He said Bateman, a manager at a steel company, had lost his working with children’s clearance which affected his ability to help his sister’s disabled daughter.

“If that is so, then, given the circumstances of the offence, that would be manifestly unfair and should be reviewed by you, if possible,” he said.

Judge Muscat sentenced Bateman to six months jail, reduced to three months and 27 days for his early guilty plea.

That sentenced was suspended on a nine-month, $500 good behaviour bond.

Bateman was also fined $200 for driving without due care but was not suspended from driving as His Honour found it would cause “more than mere hardship” by putting his employment at risk.

Originally published as Windsor man sentenced for striking ‘hooning’ teen with Ford F150, before fleeing ‘angry mob’ grieving death of mate