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‘Road rage’: Sandy Point man fined for grapple over tailgating

A man has faced court after a verbal exchange with another driver turned physical in a road rage incident. Here’s what happened.

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A Sandy Point man has been fined after a “road rage” incident sparked by tailgating escalated into an alleged punch-on with another driver.

Paul Mineo, 62, appeared in Sutherland Local Court this week where he pleaded guilty to behaving in an offensive manner.

Following the grapple, Mineo went to the doctor and discovered he had a melanoma on his nose where he allegedly sustained a punch.

Agreed police facts tendered to court said Mineo was driving along Heathcote Road in a grey Toyota Kluger on June 25 last year on his way home from Wattle Creek.

According to court documents, Joseph Rosa was driving a red Holden Barina and was allegedly tailgating Mineo’s car.

Mineo pulled to the side of the road which allowed Rosa to pass before Mineo followed him to an address on Bingara Drive, the court documents said.

Mineo got out of his car, approached Rosa’s window and said, “learn how to drive” before walking away.

The court heard Rosa then left his vehicle once Mineo was seated and the two got into a heated exchange before it turned physical.

Paul Mineo (left) with his lawyer outside Sutherland Court on Thursday after being sentenced for a road rage incident in Sandy Point. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis
Paul Mineo (left) with his lawyer outside Sutherland Court on Thursday after being sentenced for a road rage incident in Sandy Point. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The men exchanged multiple strikes for a few minutes, the documents alleged.

Mineo got back in his car and the pair continued yelling through the open door before Mineo allegedly reversed his car, forcing Rosa to step back.

Mineo then left the scene. A witness reported the incident to the police and officers reviewed CCTV, which captured the whole grapple.

Mineo sustained a small laceration to his nose while Rosa had cuts on his elbow and scratches to his chest, the documents alleged.

Two days later Mineo provided a victim statement to Sutherland police where he claimed Rosa followed him to his home and continued yelling at him. The next day Rosa was arrested.

The men provided conflicting versions of events. They were both charged with behaving offensively in a public place.

Rosa has pleaded not guilty and will defend the allegations during a hearing in August, with the case next set to return to court on May.

In Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, Magistrate Philip Stewart noted Mineo had a criminal history for prior matters of assault in 2015 and 2017.

The court heard that following the incident, doctors diagnosed a melanoma on Mineo’s nose that he had surgery to remove and radiation therapy.

“A road rage type matter is a prevalent offence in the community and requires general deterrence,” Magistrate Stewart said. “It was fortunate you saw an oncologist and received appropriate treatment.

“I will deal with this matter with a degree of leniency.”

Mineo was fined $300 over the incident.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/st-george-shire/road-rage-sandy-point-man-fined-for-grapple-over-tailgating/news-story/40c60387761e9c338a633f62d32fb600