Gary James Zimpel sentenced in court for common assault

A 62-year-old man assaulted another man with his walking stick after a heated exchange at a shop in Central Queensland. Read what happened to the offender in court.

A 62-year-old man assaulted another man with his walking stick after a heated exchange at a shop in Mount Morgan.

Gary James Zimpel, 62, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 24 to one count of common assault.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said the victim told police he entered a shop on James Street on October 25, 2021 at 5.20pm and as he passed Zimpel to enter the shop, Zimpel kicked his leg back at the victim and hit his shin.

Senior Constable Rowe said Zimpel and the victim exchanged words before Zimpel left the shop.

James Street, Mount Morgan. Picture: Google Maps

She said as the victim was walking home down James Street, he saw Zimpel walking ahead of him and crossed the road.

Senior Constable Rowe said Zimpel ran across the road towards the victim and said, “You’re f---ed, you have got an order on you”.

She said the victim backed away from Zimpel, who was approaching him in an “aggressive manner”, raised his walking stick in the air and advanced on the victim and began trying to hit him with his walking stick.

Senior Constable Rowe said the victim continued to back away from Zimpel and stated he would call police before running across the road away from Zimpel.

She said police obtained CCTV footage of the assault from the Golden Mount Store.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said there had been issues between the two men.

“My client instructed he had also been the victim of many attacks in the past, emotionally and physically,” Ms Legrady told the court.

“I have provided him advice on what he can do.

“He wants to put everything behind him.”

Zimpel was fined $800 with no criminal convictions recorded.

Originally published as Gary James Zimpel sentenced in court for common assault