Raymond Whitehouse headbutts Nowra Stocklands worker for parking in illegal spot

A 78-year-old man’s fury over people parking across a footpath came to a head in a surprising bout of violence, kicking a mall employee’s car before headbutting the victim.

Raymond Whitehouse leaving Nowra Local Court.

An elderly man frustrated at people parking illegally at a south coast mall has taken his anger out on a driver, head butting and pushing him after he parked on a footpath.

Raymond Whitehouse, 78, from Nowra, pleaded guilty to common assault at Nowra Local Court on Tuesday.

Police documents tendered to the court state on the morning of March 25, Whitehouse attacked a Specsavers employee in anger after they parked in the illegal spot at Nowra Stocklands.

The footpath in question had been a longstanding issue for Whitehouse, who had emailed Shoalhaven Council numerous times to stop employees from parking in the spot, the court heard.

When Whitehouse was taking his morning walk on the path, he watched a worker park their car and began verbally abusing them when they exited the vehicle.

The victim sustained bruises on his legs after Whitehouse pushed him over.

Agreed facts state Whitehouse informed the man he could not park in the spot, before saying, “it would be a shame if your car got damaged”.

Whitehouse then kicked the car before headbutting the victim when he asked him to stop.

“The accused deliberately thrust his head forward, head butting the victim to the bridge of his nose and forehead, causing immediate pain and resulting in the victim’s head being forced back,” agreed facts state.

“The accused then shoved the victim who became off balance and fell backwards into the driver side door of his vehicle.”

Security, who saw the altercation on CCTV, rushed out to help the victim as Whitehouse left the scene.

When police went to Whitehouse’s home the same afternoon having seen the footage and taken a victim statement, he refused to tell them the truth, stating he was the victim.

Whitehouse’s lawyer Claire Carpenter told the court the attack came as a result of built up frustration after pleading with council to do something about the employees parking on the footpath.

“He got angry at someone parking in this spot because he has been trying to stop people from doing so for so long,” she said.

However, Magistrate Lisa Viney said it was no excuse for the “violent” attack.

Before sentencing, Ms Viney read a letter of apology written by Whitehouse.

“I have lived 78 years and this is one experience I would rather forget,” the letter read.

Whitehouse was convicted, sentenced to a 12-month community correction order and ordered to undertake mandatory anger management sessions.