Man jailed after settling neighbourhood tool dispute with homemade machete
A Tassie man who used a homemade machete to attack a neighbour following a dispute over purchased tools has learned his fate in court.
A Launceston man who used a homemade machete to attack a neighbour following a dispute over purchased tools has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Beau Ruffels, 34, was found guilty by a jury of committing an unlawful act intended to do bodily harm, after the assault last February which left a 10cm gash in his victim’s head.
Justice Robert Pearce said that after days-long animosity between the two friends, Ruffels set out to find the second man on the streets of Ravenswood.
The defendant was armed with a makeshift bladed weapon whose 40cm blade he had sharpened during the day.
“As events occurred you came across [the victim] walking along Booth Street in the opposite direction,” Justice Pearce said.
“He was on his way back from the shop. You admitted that you applied force to [the victim’s] head with the machete and that he was injured as a result.”
Despite Ruffles’ claim at trial he had acted in lawful self-defence, Justice Pearce said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt the defendant had not believed force was necessary to defend himself as he approached the victim.
His Honour found that in striking his friend, Ruffles had intended to wound him in a serious way, and to cause serious injury to his health.
“The blow caused a laceration extending for about 10cm on the left side of his head above his ear,” Justice Pearce said.
“The laceration was deep enough to, for much of its length, extend down to his skull.
“Because he was agitated and in a state of reduced consciousness he was intubated to enable investigation of the extent of his injury. He was transferred to Hobart for neurosurgical treatment not available in Launceston. The wound was surgically cleaned and closed. He spent two days in ICU and was in hospital for a few more days.”
The court heard the father of four fell into illicit drug use seven years ago after becoming addicted to opioids prescribed for a serious motorcycle accident injury, and that he had been affected by methylamphetamine at the time of the incident.
Justice Pearce acknowledged Ruffles’ efforts to remain abstinent from drugs over the past 12 months, and accepted he was remorseful for his actions.
But despite evidence from the victim that he and Ruffles had since reconciled their relationship, Justice Pearce said the crime was considered serious because it involved the intention to do serious harm.
“Your crime was committed by a single blow, and did not involve prolonged or repeated violence,” Justice Pearce said.
“I am told that you have reconciled with Mr Webb. He did not provide a victim impact statement. When giving evidence he described you as an old friend.
“However, sentencing is not a private matter between the offender and the victim. A serious crime is a wrong committed against the community as a whole.
“Your crime is aggravated by the fact that it was committed in public with the use of a weapon, and death or even more serious injury could easily have resulted.”
Ruffels was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment from 26 November 2025, with the final year suspended for a period of two years following his release.
He was ordered to serve one year before being eligible for parole.
Originally published as Man jailed after settling neighbourhood tool dispute with homemade machete
