Former truckie cops thousands in fines for head-butting woman before stealing her vehicle

“The slightest variation in circumstances and you could have been before the court facing the most serious offences known to our legal system,” magistrate warns violent drunk.

A magistrate warns a drunk’s assault on a woman driver could have had terrible consequences.

A TRIP from the pub turned into a nightmare for a driver as her drunk partner splashed her with water, grabbed the steering wheel repeatedly, head-butted her, threw her phone out a window and eventually stole her vehicle.

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Unemployed former truck driver Daniel Christopher Pratt, 27, pleaded guilty to numerous charges including assault, interfering with a vehicle, stealing and unlawful use of a vehicle when he appeared at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard Pratt initiated the assault between 2.30-3.30am on December 24 last year after an argument broke out with his then partner while driving back from the Homestead Tavern in Zillmere.

“He’s picked up a bottle of water and started splashing the victim while she was driving,” police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Brennan said.

“He has then head-butted the victim to the head.

“The victim has taken out a mobile phone to record the defendant, instead he has taken it off her and thrown it out the window.

“He’s pushed the steering wheel in the opposite direction a number of times.”

The court was told Pratt’s victim eventually escaped her vehicle and sought help at a service station in North Lakes.

Sgt Brennan said Pratt, who had a two-page criminal history, drove off leaving the complainant without her phone and wallet.

Her vehicle was found abandoned at the intersection of Anzac Ave and Brays Rd in Kallangur on December 30.

Pratt’s defence solicitor Shaun Kolo said his client, who initially lied to police about the morning’s events, had to be reminded of what he did.

“What my client struggles with is alcohol,” Mr Brennan said.

“The alcohol that he consumed on the night lead to the offending.

“He made admissions to police after being shown CCTV footage.”

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Acting magistrate Paul Byrne warned Pratt his legal woes could have been much more severe.

“You are very lucky that the assault charge wasn’t a higher charge,” Mr Byrne said.

“Just the slightest variation in circumstances and you could have been before the court facing the most serious offences known to our legal system.”

Pratt was fined $2,750 and ordered to pay his victim $500 in restitution with convictions recorded for assault and stealing.