Robert Charles Campton: Woodpark man used saw in road rage attack

A retiree who drove off after colliding with a car then pulled out a battery-powered saw when the victim followed him to his home.

A man who used a battery-powered saw in a road rage attack has told a court he didn’t mean to turn it on, a claim the magistrate flat out rejected.

Robert Charles Campton, 59, collided with a car on the Cumberland Hwy on July 25 then drove away without stopping to swap insurance information. He was then followed to his Woodpark home where he attacked the man, Fairfield Local Court heard on Wednesday.

Agreed facts tendered to court reveal Campton was beeping his horn at a man for 15 seconds who was attempting to make an illegal right turn from Paton St, Merrylands onto the Hume Hwy.

Campton eventually overtook him but hit his car at the same time.

The victim followed Campton to swap information, but the 59-year-old did not stop until he arrived at home where they both parked in the driveway.

Robert Charles Campton leaving Fairfield Local Court. He was convicted of assault causing ABH after attacking a man with a saw. Picture: Paul Brescia

When the victim asked about the collision, Campton started swearing at him before walking to the garage and grabbing a red Milwaukee 45cm reciprocating saw.

“What, are you going to attack me now?” the victim asked before attempting to take the saw off Campton. In the ensuing struggle, the victim suffered a 3cm cut to his pinky finger.

The victim managed to dislodge the battery from the saw before walking away and driving off. He reported the incident, which had been captured on his dash camera, to police later.

Campton was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, and overtaking a vehicle when unsafe and pleaded guilty to both offences.

Campton’s lawyer, Peter Williams, told the court his client was a retired photocopier technician who had been suffering from untreated anxiety and depression at the time.

“He told friends and colleagues he was in a dark place at the time,” Mr Williams said.

“He felt vulnerable and regrets his actions, but panicked at the time. He certainly didn’t intend to use the saw on the victim.”

But Magistrate James Gibson found his version of the story unbelievable.

“I don’t accept it was unintentional at all,” Mr Gibson said. “He brought out a weapon, the victim saw it and tried to grab it off him to ensure he didn’t get attacked by a saw, and he pulled the trigger. It can only be described as a road rage incident.”

Mr Gibson told the court he took into account Campton’s personal circumstances — including recent health issues — into account when sentencing him.

“For many years you have never been in trouble,” Mr Gibson said.

“It was an angry reaction to someone trying to do the wrong thing on the road. There is a real need for general deterrence, to send a message to the community this violence won’t be tolerated.”

Campton was convicted of both offences, fined $1000 for the assault, $300 for the overtaking charge, and placed on a community corrections order for 18 months.
The 59-year-old was also ordered to undertake anger management counselling, as well as treatment for anxiety or depression.