Ormeau tradie, Simon Liedke, 40, sentenced over drunk hit and run

A bayside tradie has faced court after a drunk hit and run where he threatened a police officer, saying: “I hope to see you in the street with your wife and kids, I am going to get you”.

A bayside container repairman has been sentenced for a drunk hit and run, during which he threatened to douse police with petrol.

Ormeau resident, Simon Liedke, 40, pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 20, to one count of obstructing police, one count of driving while under the influence of alcohol, one count of contravening a police requirement and one count of threatening.

The court heard Mr Liedke was reported to police after a hit and run on Bloomfield St in Cleveland on August 19 involving his Toyota Hilux and another vehicle.

“He continued to state his name as Paul Skermish,” police prosecutor Sergeant Angela Tetley said.

“Police later identified him as Simon Liedke and he was arrested.”

The court heard Mr Liedke returned a roadside breath analysis of 0.179 per cent.

“Police observed a can of alcohol in the driver’s side,” Sergeant Tetley said.

“He told police he had driven from Manly.”

Simon Liedke outside Cleveland Magistrate Court.

Mr Liedke became aggressive and threatening when he was arrested, the court heard.

“He continued to be belligerent, abusive to officers,” Sergeant Tetley said.

“He has used his arms to push away from police, pushing the officer’s face.

“He made threats towards the officer telling him, ‘I hope to see you in the street with your wife and kids, I am going to get you, I will douse you with petrol’.”

His lawyer, Tanya Dower, said Mr Liedke had taken time to reflect on his behaviour.

“The person who’s been driving him to work has been a mentor to him,” she said.

Ms Dower said her client suffered injuries after the incident.

“He went through a roundabout and it was a slight bump between the vehicles,” Ms Dower said.

“He suffered a significant injury.

“He was dropped by police on his shoulder and had to take several days off work.”

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said Mr Liedke needed to stay away from alcohol.

“You wouldn’t want to drink bleach would you?” Ms Vasta said.

Mr Liedke was given a 12-month probation order.

Convictions were not recorded.