Travis William Donald Crowther, 31, jailed for Deception Bay machete attack on another man

A South East Queensland man who attacked a stranger with a machete in a shopping centre car park has been jailed, as his “bizarre” reasons for the attack have been shared.

A man has been jailed for a terrifying machete attack in Deception Bay. Picture: 9 News

A man has been jailed for a terrifying machete attack on another man north of Brisbane.

Travis William Donald Crowther, 31, faced Brisbane’s District Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Judge John Allen said the 41-year-old victim was first approached by Crowther at the Peninsula Fair Shopping Centre on January 9 last year.

Demanding money, which Crowther, 31, said the man owed him, he engaged in a fight with the victim, pouring petrol over his head and threatening to light him on fire before retreating, the court heard.

Judge Allen said while this incident did not lead to any charges before the court it provided context for what would occur later.

Travis William Donald Crowther, 31.

Two days later at another shopping centre in Deception Bay Crowther again saw the victim, parked his car and waited for him to pass before confronting him while armed with a machete, the court heard.

“You made then continuous attempts to strike the complainant with that machete accompanied by threats to kill him,” Judge Allen said.

“When he was trying to block an incoming swing of the machete, he was struck on the left arm and the left side of his head.

“You then persisted with your attack pursuing the complainant who found refuge in a nearby shop.”

Crowther parked his car and waited for the victim to pass before confronting him while armed with a machete, the court heard. Picture: 9 News

The victim was assisted by people in the shop and taken to Redcliffe Hospital where he was treated for a 5cm laceration to his scalp and 3cm cuts to his left hand and three fingers which required staples and stitching.

“It must have been a very terrifying experience indeed for the complainant and anyone, including his partner, who witnessed it,” Judge Allen said.

“It is fortunate he didn’t suffer more serious injury.”

Police later found Crowther hiding under the floor of a residence where they also located methamphetamine and cannabis and a used glass pipe.

Crowther also pleaded guilty to two counts each of possessing drugs and disqualified driving and one count of possessing utensils.

The court heard Crowther had a prejudicial upbringing and long standing substance abuse issues.

“I’m told you were abusing GHB at the time of these offences, and perhaps that drug abuse goes towards explaining the bizarre nature of the singling out of the complainant who you didn’t know,” he said.

Crowther was lucky to still have support of his family and had put his time in custody to good use completing a drug course and as many occupational certificates as he could, the court head.

Judge Allen said Crowther’s guilty pleas were timely.

Crowther was sentenced to six years jail.

With time already served he will be eligible for parole in December next year.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.

Originally published as Travis William Donald Crowther, 31, jailed for Deception Bay machete attack on another man