Shane Matherson in court for sentencing submissions after guilty verdict for hit-run at scrap yarn
A man who ran over a scrap yard metal worker after an encounter at closing time escalated “chose to swerve” into his victim, a court has heard.
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It’s “sheer luck” no one was killed after an enraged Blair Athol man deliberately ran over a Thebarton scrap metal yard employee in 2021 when he was denied service, a court has heard.
Shane Anthony Matherson, 53, appeared in the District Court before Judge Geraldine Davison for sentencing submissions, after he was found guilty of endangering the life of Denron Metals employee Craig Hatchard in a judge-alone trial.
Prosecutor Amalie Tabuteau acknowledged the altercation escalated as a result of both parties becoming angry, but told the court Matherson made a deliberate choice to drive his van into Mr Hatchard.
“This clearly very serious offending,” Ms Tabuteau said. “In my submission it is sheer luck that Craig Hatchard was not more seriously hurt.
“The offending occurred in heightened circumstances, as Your Honour has noted. There’s no doubt the situation escalated – perhaps more than Mr Matherson anticipated – but Mr Matherson’s actions when he returned down Murray St were completely disproportionate to the circumstances.
“He chose to swerve at – and drive over – Craig Hatchard. He could have driven straight between the two (parked) cars, but he chose not to do that.”
The prosecution told the court Matherson attended the scrap metal yard on the corner of West Thebarton Rd and Murray St at closing time, when Mr Hatchard told him the business was shut before swearing and telling him to move his car.
Mr Hatchard, 55, then hit the windscreen of the van – causing it to crack – prompting Matherson to drive the van forward, the court heard.
In his evidence, Matherson said he was panicked because men surrounded his car, and he then rammed Mr Hatchard with his car, pinning him between the side of the van and a white vehicle parked on the side of the road. Mr Hatchard fell to the ground as a result.
Prosecutors told the court Matherson drove down the street’s cul-de-sac and returned at speed, hitting the employee a second time – running over his arm and shoulder.
In July, Mr Hatchard’s wife Cheryl told the court her “heart stopped” when she found out about the incident.
Peter Scragg, for Matherson, submitted his client was suffering from an “attentional overload” and “was struggling to process all that was happening” during the offending.
“I know Your Honour is going to impose a sentence, I just ask that you suspend the sentence on a bond,” Mr Scragg said. “It’s a quite clear that a sentence is an appropriate penalty for this.
“He’s (Matherson) not a man of great achievements, but he’s a simple man living a simple life – a very low lifestyle expectation. Likes camping, fishing and simple things like that. In a way, he’s a loner … which is unfortunate.”
Matherson will return to court later this month for sentencing.
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