Warwick father-of-five slaps neighbour in booze-fuelled assault

A bitter ongoing dispute exploded into violence when the father-of-five became irate over where his neighbour’s car was parked, then lost control completely.

IN COURT: The Warwick father-of-five pleaded guilty to common assault after a violent argument with his neighbour. Picture: contributed / iStock

A bitter neighbours dispute has landed one Warwick father in court after he slapped the other man around the head during an alcohol-fuelled altercation over a parked car.

The confrontation between Clinton James Bormolini and his neighbour broke out at about 8.20pm on September 20 last year in an easement between the pair’s homes, where the other man’s car was parked.

The Warwick Magistrates Court was told the 42-year-old shouted at his neighbour over the fence to move the car and abused him for parking it on council-owned land.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said the other man tried to move the vehicle but it had a flat battery and wouldn’t start, which only further enraged Bormolini.

“He became agitated, approached the victim and slapped him on the head, causing him some pain,” Sergeant de Lissa said.

“Police attended and located Bormolini on a footpath outside the victim’s house. The victim made a complaint of assault ... but (Bormolini) stated he had not been involved in any altercation.”

Sergeant de Lissa said officers also noted the Warwick man seemed “very intoxicated” at the time.

The court was told the father-of-five had multiple but dated assault convictions in his criminal history.

Defence lawyer Clare Hine said the assault was a flare-up in an ongoing dispute between her client and his neighbour,

“He had been drinking and he tells me his judgment was certainly blurred, and he’s very remorseful for his behaviour,” Ms Hine said.

“It was one slap, Your Honour, but again my client says he has no excuses.”

Magistrate Julian Noud said Bormolini’s offending was clearly driven by underlying drug and alcohol abuse, and urged the father to undertake serious rehabilitation efforts.

Bormolini pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and was placed on probation for nine months.

Originally published as Warwick father-of-five slaps neighbour in booze-fuelled assault