Levi Thomas Francis in Maroochydore court for reversing into man, assault

An innocent Caloundra man was left unconscious on his driveway with blood oozing from his head after he told a father speeding in his Commodore to slow down.

Levi Thomas Francis

A Caloundra West father has been punished for reversing into his partner’s neighbour and pointing a fake gun at police.

Levi Thomas Francis, 36, had just been through a break-up and had his clothes thrown out on the front lawn when he sped off down a 50km/h road in Caloundra on November 12, 2021.

Maroochydore District Court heard how a 64-year-old man who was hosing his car down on the street called out for Francis to slow down.

Francis slammed on the brakes causing smoke and skidmarks on the road.

The man then gestured for Francis to drive back towards him and Francis reversed at speed, swerved away from the victim’s car and struck the victim.

Judge Nathan Jarro said the victim’s left leg collided with the back of the car and his head flung forward and hit the canopy of Francis’ Holden Commodore.

He was then thrown backwards onto the ground and lost consciousness.

The victim’s wife heard the noise and came to the driveway to discover her husband groaning with blood oozing out of his right eye and the back of his head.

She screamed out for assistance and Francis stopped his car and started to walk towards the victim before panicking and driving away from the scene.

Judge Jarro said the victim was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital with soft tissue swelling to his right ankle and foot, a deep laceration to his right eyebrow, a scalp hematoma and other cuts.

“Your conduct was dangerous and reckless as opposed to being a deliberate attempt to strike the complainant,” Judge Jarro said.

“Your actions have not only personally affected him, they have also affected his wife.”

When police came looking for Francis, they found him at his unit in Caloundra West at 9.43pm and had to break the front glass door because they were concerned Francis could be self-harming.

They saw Francis standing in his bedroom pointing what they thought was a black handgun at police.

One of the officers yelled “he’s got a gun” before they took defensive action to move out of the way and tasered Francis.

They placed the then 35-year-old in handcuffs and discovered the gun was a replica gel blaster.

The court was told after spending time at the mental health unit in hospital, Francis spent 11 months in presentence custody.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said his client grew up in an abusive household where he never felt safe and was bullied in school.

Mr Dixon said Francis, who worked in the mines, was remorseful and had written a letter of apology to the 64-year-old.

“He was in a particularly dark state of mind at the time ... if he doesn’t seek treatment and doesn't engage in supports he is going to spend longer periods in custody,” Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said Francis was looking at getting mental health support once released and his partner who he had reconnected with would also be offering support.

Judge Jarro sentenced Francis to three years’ prison with immediate release on parole after he pleaded guilty to three counts of serious assault of police and one count of failing to stop at the scene of a crash.

Originally published as Levi Thomas Francis in Maroochydore court for reversing into man, assault