Callum James Johnston, 25, sentenced for Palmerston machete attack for meth money

A machete-wielding man high on meth has attacked a family friend at his home in front of his young son over a ‘trifling debt’ he wanted to recover to buy more drugs, a court has heard.

Callum James Johnston was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for a machete attack on a family friend over a $70 debt.

A man who slashed a Palmerston father’s arm to the bone with a machete in front of his young son was trying to recoup a “minor” debt so he could buy drugs, a court has heard.

Callum James Johnston, 25, was jailed for four years and two months for the violent attack on his long-time family friend, which left the 29-year-old terrified for the safety of his children and pregnant wife.

The Supreme Court heard Johnston sent a string of texts and voice memos to his victim on October 14, threatening to come to his house and “chop him up” over what the judge described as an “almost trifling debt”.

High on meth at about 4.30am, Johnston rode his motorbike to the victim’s Moulden home where he unsheathed a large machete, the court heard.

The victim saw Johnston approaching and armed himself with a steel pole, meeting his attacker at the front gate while his seven-year-old was in the front yard and he was “extremely fearful” for his family’s safety.

Johnston attacked the other man with the machete, slashing his right arm from elbow to wrist, severing muscles and five tendons.

The man fled on foot, trying to stem the bleeding, while Johnston chased him with the machete before leaving the scene.

The court heard Johnston’s victim suffered PTSD from the terrifying attack.

Johnston continued to “post threats to kill the victim” if he went to the police.

As of July, the man had still not regained feeling in his right and middle two fingers which were numb and stiff.

Justice John Burns said the offending clearly had a “significant impact” on the victim and his family.

“Unsurprisingly, in addition to his physical injuries, the victim also suffered emotional harm,” he said.

“After leaving hospital he did not sleep well for a month, he has post-traumatic stress disorder, he found it difficult to look after his family.

“He was scared for his son who had seen the assault on him, his son also is now scared and worried.”

Kelly pleaded guilty to unlawfully causing serious harm and making threats to kill and will be eligible for parole after two years and one month.