Steven Clarke: Meroo Meadow man accused of deadly crash threatens family with knife

The man accused of killing a well-known south coast basketball coach has broken his bail after admitting to threatening his family with a knife.

Steven Clarke allegedly killed Scott Balsar in a crash on Meroo Rd, Bomaderry.

The man accused of killing a well-known community basketball coach in a horror crash on the NSW south coast earlier this year has broken his bail after threatening his wife and son with a knife while on bail.

Steven Clarke, 53, was initially granted bail after being charged over the death of well-known Shoalhaven Basketball Association coach Scott Balsar, 48, in a crash in Bomaderry on January 10 this year.

The alleged crash saw the Meroo Meadow man charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and driving a motor vehicle with a suspended licence.

While Clarke is yet to enter pleas to these charges, he appeared in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday via video link from custody, pleading guilty to a new charge of stalk and intimidate to intend fear.

The new charge also saw Clarke’s initial bail revoked, with the 53-year-old man reapplying for bail.

Scott Balsar [pictured] was allegedly killed by Steven Clarke in a car crash on January 10.

The court heard that Clarke’s driving matters remained before the court, however the courtroom was filled with family and friends of Mr Balsar wearing shirts reading “Rest and Peace Scott”.

However, Magistrate Lisa Viney said the driving matters would be adjourned to May 31, before moving on to sentence Clarke for the latest charge.

Steven Clarke was sentenced for his new matter in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday.

Documents tendered to the court reveal Clarke was cutting bread with a 40cm stainless steel knife on the afternoon of March 10 at his Meroo Meadow home, when he began to argue with his wife.

His 34-year-old son noticed the argument and saw Clarke aiming the knife at the woman.

Agreed facts state his son attempted to de-escalate the situation before Clarke turned to him with the knife, stating “f--k off”.

“Get the f--k away from me,” agreed facts state Clarke said to his son.

The son then contacted a friend to contact the police, who arrived shortly after to see Clarke was intoxicated.

Clarke was arrested and placed into custody.

In court on Tuesday, Clarke’s lawyer Bret Ford asked the court to grant Clarke bail with the court hearing he suffered from schizophrenia and this was his first time behind bars.

Ms Viney granted bail to the dismay of Mr Balsar’s supporters who physically reacted at the decision.

Clarke was convicted of stalk and intimidate to intend fear and sentenced to a two month supervised community corrections order.

The court heard he will reappear on May 31 where his driving matters will be mentioned.

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