Wife of man run down by Shane Anthony Matherson at Denron Metals tells court of her heartbreak

The wife of a man twice run down at work by an enraged customer says her “heart stopped” the moment she got the call, a court has heard.

Cheryl Hatchard was waiting at home, expecting her husband Craig to return from his shift at a Thebarton recycling centre when she got the phone call that would change their lives forever.

Appearing in the District Court on Tuesday before Judge Geraldine Davison, Ms Hatchard – through the prosecution – told the court her “heart stopped in shock” when Craig’s brother Jamie told her he had been run down by Shane Anthony Matherson in 2021 at Denron Metals.

Last month, Matherson was found guilty of endangering the life of Mr Hatchard, 55, in a judge-alone trial.

“The events of March 6, 2021 – and the aftermath – will live with us all forever,” Ms Hatchard said.

“Craig has always been a hard worker, and on this day, went to work as normal and I expected him to come home. Instead, I got a harrowing call from his brother Jamie telling me that he had been run over and rushed to the hospital.

Cheryl Hatchard leaves the District Court after her victim impact statement was read to the court. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“I suddenly had to face losing Craig as I feared the worst. I went to hospital and saw Craig lying motionless in a bed, hooked up to monitors.

“I was in a state of disbelief – I couldn’t begin to think how my life was changing, and how anyone could have done something so horrific to cause this suffering.”

The prosecution previously told the court Matherson attended the scrap metal yard on the corner of West Thebarton Rd and Murray St at closing time, when Mr Hatchard told him the business was shut before swearing and telling him to move his car.

Mr Hatchard then hit the windscreen of the van – causing it to crack – prompting Matherson to drive the van forward, the court heard, pinning him to a white car on the other side of the road before he fell to the ground.

In his evidence, Matherson said he was panicked because men surrounded his car, before he then drove into Mr Hatchard.

Prosecutors told the court Matherson drove down the street’s cul-de-sac and returned at speed, hitting the employee a second time – running over his arm and shoulder.

Shane Anthony Matherson, left, leaves the District Court in Adelaide in June after being found guilty. Picture: Brett Hartwig

On Tuesday, Ms Hatchard said her husband’s characteristic “happy-go-lucky” attitude had ceased since the crash and he was now “moody and withdrawn”.

“He wouldn’t talk to anyone, and he was having nightmares – and still does occasionally,” she said.

“He would hold everything in, as he didn’t want others to know his pain or problems. Craig suffers with pain in his knees, shoulders and hands – especially when it gets cold – but his main lasting injury is psychological. He often goes through phases where he struggles to sleep – having flashbacks and nightmares.

“The stress and pain caused by Mr Matherson is unforgivable – it’s something this family will never be able to forget … all because of the ridiculous actions of someone who failed to respond to reason.”

The trial will return for submissions in September.

Originally published as Wife of man run down by Shane Anthony Matherson at Denron Metals tells court of her heartbreak