Man targeted random shopper in drug-fuelled car park assault, court hears

“Are you dying? Well you will be,” the man said before assaulting the woman, who was loading groceries into her car at a notorious CBD car park.

The Park Ave car park and laneway.

A court has heard of the “terrifying” moment a woman was assaulted at random while loading groceries into her car in Coffs Harbour.

Te-Rangi Regler appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday for sentencing on charges of common assault and intimidation in relation to the March 2020 incident.

The court heard the victim finished grocery shopping on the Saturday afternoon and had opened the boot of her car at the Park Avenue car park when she was approached by Regler.

Regler, who was under the influence of drugs, was standing with his legs apart and his fists clenched and “laughed” at the victim, it was heard.

It was heard he then asked her “are you dying? Well you will be”.

The victim was attempting to place dog food in the back seat of the car when Regler slammed the door causing an “impact” to her chest, however the court heard she was uninjured.

The Park Ave car park, where the incident took place.

Frightened, the victim told Regler to get away before locking herself in her car. The court heard police soon arrested Regler, who told them he was “God” and was from “hell”.

The prosecution told Magistrate Ian Rodgers that the victim was so shaken she could not drive home.

“She wasn’t hurt, but it frightened her significantly,” they said.

But his defence lawyer told Magistrate Rodgers that Regler, who struggled to remember the incident, had since successfully undertaken 12 months of rehabilitation.

They urged the Magistrate not to impose a sentence that would hinder his efforts.

“The defendant before you is not the same man who caused the issues in the car park,” they said.

The man was sentenced at Coffs Harbour Local Court this week.

The Magistrate took this into account when handing down a sentence, but he could not ignore the seriousness of the offence and said it required a term of imprisonment.

“The victim would have been terrified … she would have feared significantly for her welfare, and for her life.”

Regler was convicted of the charges and sentenced to a four-month Intensive Corrections Order, which is an alternative to full time imprisonment that is served in the community under supervision.

He was also placed on a Community Corrections Order for 12 months and must undertake 150 hours of community service as part of this.

The Park Avenue lane way and car park has been one of the CBD’s notorious trouble spots for years, and recent photos shared on social media reignited the issue.

The Advocate recently ran a poll asking readers if they avoid the Woolworths car park and Park Ave laneway area, with 69 per cent saying they avoid the area.

Coffs Clarence Police District Acting Commander, Guy Flaherty previously told The Advocate that discussions were being conducted with local business owners and council in relation to the issues in the city centre area.