Clayton Preece sentenced after ‘push’ at family gathering

A 29-year-old man was on parole when he entered an emotion-charged Toormina home. What happened next landed him in court.

Clayton Preece was sentenced to a six-month intensive correction order for common assault after he appeared at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Friday.

A 29-year-old man was on parole when he entered an emotion-charged Toormina home.

There was a large wake being held at the home when Clayton Preece went in on December 28.

Coffs Harbour Local Court heard that Preece pushed a person with his forearm, causing her to fall back on to a lounge.

Lawyer Joseph Harding told the court that another person, with a knife, had also entered the home.

But Preece had moved to de-escalate the situation, Mr Harding said.

The court was told that Preece worked on a casual basis in lawn maintenance, and had been left with permanent leg injuries after he was a passenger in a car that had hit a telegraph pole when he was 22.

Mr Harding said his client suffered post traumatic stress disorder from when he was in custody at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre, and discovered the body of an inmate who had hung himself.

Preece suffered “flashbacks” and “panic attacks” as a result, the court heard.

Mr Harding said his client had reconciled with the family since the incident at Toormina.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers convicted Preece of common assault and sentenced him to a six month intensive correction order.

He was also ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.