Joseph Cardillo pleads guilty to unlawful assault in Portland Magistrates’ Court

Engaging in “vigilante justice” was “always going to go south” a Portland magistrate has told a man who pleaded guilty to unlawful assault.

A normally upstanding citizen who swung a “haymaker” punch at another person made a decision that was “always going to go south”, a magistrate has said.

Magistrate Nunzia La Rosa told Joseph Cardillo he should not have engaged in “vigilante justice” when he approached a former housemate to settle a debt.

The Portland Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday heard the 61-year-old had driven his red Landcruiser to the victim’s caravan site in Fitzroy River on January 23 with a co-accused.

The co-accused got out of the car and allegedly assaulted the victim, drawing blood from their arm and hand.

Cardillo then approached the victim, attempting to punch him but the victim dodged the swing.

Joseph Cardillo, involved in a "fisticuffs" incident with a person he previously lived with, pleaded guilty at the Portland Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

He then left the scene and the victim called police.

Two days later, Cardillo arrived at the local police station to hand himself in, where he admitted to the attack.

His lawyer Jarrod Lee told the court the full-time machine operator made “no excuses” and was “deeply remorseful” as he pleaded guilty to unlawful assault.

He had moved from Shepparton to Portland 18 years ago, Mr Lee said, and was supported by his partner of 22 years.

Mr La Rosa questioned how someone who had no prior convictions could have made such a “poor decision” that ended with getting in “fisticuffs”.

“I have no true understanding of what brought this on,” he said.

“This was always going to go south I would have thought.”

However, due to his previously good character, Mr La Rosa ruled the case would be adjourned for 12 months in order for Cardillo to prove his good behaviour.

Cardillo was also ordered to pay $500 to the court contribution fund.

Mr La Rosa warned the court would give “a second serve back” if Cardillo reoffended.