Zachariah Mills punches car salesman over alleged $20k ripoff

A car salesman in Logan was punched in the face by a customer after he became frustrated by the continuous faults with his $20,000 set of wheels, a court has heard.

Zachariah Mills faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court after punching a car salesman

A $20,000 purchase from a car salesman ended with a fist to the face when a 19-year-old Logan man saw red and unleashed his frustrations on the businessman over the allegedly ‘dodgy’ car.

Yarrabilba’s Zachariah Mills, 19, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on December 7, 2022 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard Mills purchased a car from Springwood’s Crazy Dave’s Deals on Wheels after he received a $20,000 loan from the bank.

The car had been very faulty and after being frustrated by the purchase, Mills went back to the dealership on May 7, 2022 and punched the man who sold him the car in the face.

The court heard Mills had just had a violent argument with his father and was running high on emotions as he headed to the shop.

The victim had substantial pain and suffering as a result of the injury.

Mills had no prior criminal history, expressed remorse for his behaviour and it was his first time appearing in court.

Magistrate Athol Kennedy said he empathised with Mills’ feelings but he did not react appropriately.

“We all get agitated and cranky and I think you’re genuinely a decent young man who let emotions get the better of you,” he said.

Mr Kennedy also said Mills needed to be aware of what he was purchasing and the risks of buying a used car.

“Why would anyone sell a perfectly good car?

“It will have a few faults and then some poor bugger is going to get it.”

Mills was placed on a good behaviour bond of $600 and no conviction was recorded.

He was also ordered to pay $600 in compensation to the victim.