Ross Matthew Mason faces court after ongoing dispute with his neighbour at Capricorn Coast

A Central Queensland teacher has faced court after he entered his neighbour’s yard and took an ongoing dispute into his own hands.

A Central Queensland teacher has faced court after an ongoing dispute with his neighbour turned ugly.

Ross Matthew Mason, 32, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on August 4 to unlawfully entering a yard and unlawfully destroying property.

The court heard that Mason and the victim of his offences were neighbours on the Capricorn Coast.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Darrell Dalton said that on July 8 about 8.55pm, Mason went to the front of his neighbour’s house in relation to a dispute over excessive noise.

There were three people inside the neighbour’s house.

Sgt Dalton said Mason forced open a side gate at his neighbour’s residence and walked along the side of the house to the rear yard without permission.

“He (Mason) then grabbed a large JBL 100 audio speaker from a rear shed which ran through the yard to the side gate, to the front of the victim’s residence,” Sgt Dalton said.

“As the victim and witnesses watched through the lounge room, (Mason) has thrown the speaker onto the ground, causing damage to the speaker - rendered it inoperable.”

Ross Matthew Mason.

On July 17, Mason was spoken to by police.

Sgt Dalton said Mason was forthright with police and admitted he committed the offence.

“He expressed remorse for his actions to police,” Sgt Dalton said.

In court, Sgt Dalton sought $600 restitution for the speaker and Mason, representing himself, indicated he did not agree with that amount.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale then said: “If Mr Mason isn’t accepting of that amount, I may have to adjourn the matter.”

Ms Beckinsale added if Mason was wanting more evidence of the value of the speaker, she could adjourn these matters to a later date.

Mason then told the magistrate that he wanted to “get this over with” and his matters proceeded.

The court heard that Mason had no criminal history.

Mason told Ms Beckinsale that he was a teacher and he explained his side of the story, saying he was at home with his family on the night in question.

“I just want it to be known that it was ongoing and I was antagonised,” Mason said.

“We had already made a formal police complaint an hour earlier that night.

“An hour before that, I had gone over and politely asked them.

“They were running a generator in the backyard, they were playing music very loudly... it got louder.”

Ross Matthew Mason.

Ms Beckinsale asked for some clarification around when the incidents took place.

Mason said his first complaint to police was made at 8pm.

“So what happened, police came out, they (neighbours) turned it (music) down,” Mason said.

“Five minutes later, the police left, it (music) got much louder.

“And what they did was, they put the speaker in the shed and pointed it at our house, and started looping circus music.

“And they went inside their house away from the speaker.

“At 9 o’clock I put in another noise complaint to QPS.

“Five or 10 minutes later, I lost my patience, I went over and knocked on the door.”

Mason said it was then that his neighbour played dumb about the whole situation by saying ‘What do you mean? What noise? What are you talking about? The police said this is good volume.’

“(The neighbour) Laughed in my face, so I just went through the gate and took the speaker and ended it there.”

Ms Beckinsale ordered Mason pay $600 restitution and she did not further punish him.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Ross Matthew Mason faces court after ongoing dispute with his neighbour at Capricorn Coast