Trevor Dale Wheeler: Bird-feeding clash, assault in minutes before neighbour Bradley Ward’s death

A man previously charged with manslaughter following the death of his Gold Coast neighbour has learned his fate as the details of their violent confrontation were aired in court.

Trevor Wheeler (right) has pleaded guilty to assaulting neighbour Bradley Ward shortly before the 60-year-old’s death.

The physical and emotional stress of a Gold Coast man’s violent confrontation with his neighbour over feeding birds likely played a role in his sudden death minutes later, a court has been told.

Bradley Ward, 60, collapsed and died shortly after fighting with and then being assaulted by his neighbour Trevor Dale Wheeler on November 18, 2020.

Southport District Court was told tensions flared between the two men shortly about 5.15am as Wheeler was feeding the birds in the front yard of his Labrador home.

Bradley Ward. Picture: supplied

It was heard Mr Ward began filming Wheeler and an argument soon broke out, quickly escalating to a fight with both men shoving and throwing punches.

Crown prosecutor Kelli Lemass said Mr Ward – who was medically obese and suffered from heart disease among other ailments – fell into the gutter during the scuffle and was noticeably short of breath afterwards.

Ms Lemass said Wheeler targeted Mr Ward’s 82-year-old mother as she came to her son’s aid, shoving her to the ground. She was not injured.

Police at the scene on Whiting St, Labrador. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Ms Lemass said Wheeler soon re-emerged from his home brandishing a lengthy stick that he swung at Mr Ward six times, connecting only once with the other man’s temple and ear.

Mr Ward collapsed after walking over to a nearby taxi that had stopped to assist.

The court was told his likely cause of death was an arrhythmia precipitated by the emotional and physical stress of his clash with Wheeler.

The 52-year-old was previously charged with manslaughter and was due to stand trial on the charge before it was dropped in November.

Trevor Dale Wheeler (right) leaving the courthouse with lawyer Farshad Sarabi. Picture: Jessica Paul

Defence barrister Damien Gates, instructed by Hannay Lawyers, said Wheeler had previously spent 31 days in custody on the charges and had no history of violence.

Mr Gates said his client had not dealt with abuse he suffered as a child prior to the assaults, but had since started working with a psychologist to address his mental health concerns.

Wheeler pleaded guilty to unlawful assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and serious assault of a person over 60.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ jail, suspended after the 31 days already served.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Wheeler’s lawyer Farshad Sarabi said it was an “expected outcome”.

“There’s no winners or losers in this. My client’s just going to move on,” he said.