Michael Schimizzi: Vermont South man threatens housemate with knife

A Vermont South man pushed to “breaking point” by his freeloader housemate resorted to desperate measures to kick the guy out. Instead, he found himself facing a court.

Michael Schimizzi, 45, finally blew his top on January 13 when he woke to find his cupboard empty and yet another homeless person in the house. Picture: StarNow

A Vermont South man pushed to “breaking point” by the housemate from hell has faced court after he resorted to desperate measures to kick the man out.

Michael Schimizzi, 45, fronted Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to unlawful assault with a weapon.

Senior Constable Chris Cato told the court Schimizzi and his victim faced off on the morning of January 13 after Schimizzi woke to find his freeloader housemate had yet again pilfered his food.

The men argued over unpaid rent and strange guests the housemate brought home, but things escalated when Schimizzi grabbed a knife, raised it above his head and lunged at the man.

Sen-Constable Cato told the court the terrified victim attempted to disarm Schimizzi by grabbing the knife with his right hand, causing a deep cut to his hand and index finger.

Schimizzi refused to drive him to the hospital so an ambulance and police were called.

Schimizzi’s lawyer, Hannah Manuel, told the court her client tried on multiple occasions to kick his housemate out.

She told the court Schimizzi invited the man, a former friend, to live with him for two weeks following the breakdown of the man’s relationship, but once he entered the house he refused to leave.

“He’d bring homeless people into the house, it got to the point where he didn’t feel safe anymore in his own home,” Ms Manuel told the court.

“He only received one month’s rent but he lived there eight months in total.

“My client eventually got to breaking point, he lost his temper, he felt he’d been taken advantage of.”

Magistrate Nunzio La Rosa said he accepted Schimizzi was at the end of his tether when he lashed out.

But he said Schimizzi’s actions could not be condoned.

“To threaten someone or to menace someone rather with a knife simply does not advance the cause in any fashion and low and behold you’re before a court,” Mr La Rosa said.

Mr La Rosa convicted Schimizzi and ordered he pay $400 to the court fund and $84.40 court costs.

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