Northern Bulk Solutions managing director Mitchell Gibson allegedly assaulted brother
A Territory businessman has claimed he was acting in self defence as he allegedly tried to mow down his estranged brother. Read the latest from court.
A Darwin businessman has claimed he was acting in self defence as he allegedly tried to mow down his estranged brother.
Northern Heavy Haulage and Northern Bulk Solutions managing director Mitchell Gibson appeared behind the security screens of the Darwin Local Court on Monday charged with using a carriage service to harass and two counts of aggravated assault.
The court heard that the 54-year-old businessman allegedly attacked his brother, including trying to run him down with his vehicle in the driveway of his sibling’s property.
On Monday defence barrister Luke Officer said his client ran a “very successful” transportation business, handling major contracts with the United States Marines, Halikos, Lockheed Martin, the Telstra NBN network, as well as the Darwin Shiplift project.
“He also sits, and it is such is his connection and reputation in the military and community, on the Australian Logistic Defence panel,” Mr Officer said.
Mr Officer said Mr Gibson and his brother had a “very strange relationship”.
“They haven’t spoken for 15 year, the brother came back on the scene recently to try and make amends,” Mr Officer said.
“All of a sudden an innuendo went around town and my client took some umbridge to that.”
He alleged his client went to his sibling’s property to discuss, but as he tried to leave his brother stood in his vehicle’s path armed with a knife.
Mr Officer alleged Mr Gibson and his partner were in the vehicle as his brother started to strike it with a knife and fought to get inside.
He said his client only had a “hazy” recollection of what happened, but he maintained he was acting in “self defence”.
“It’s a hard sell if he can’t remember it,” Judge Stephen Geary replied.
Mr Officer said Mr Gibson had to go to Palmerston hospital due to cuts to his face and head, but Geary said “sometimes people come off second best”.
The prosecutor said this was not a “spontaneous” incident, alleging that there were threats which were then followed by the aggravated assault.
“The defendant has gone to the victim’s house and attempted to run him over,” he alleged.
“It’s quite a significant course of conduct, he’s gone ‘I’m going to go to this house, I’m going to have a confrontation, and proceeding to go about that business anyway’.”
Mr Officer said it was understood that a domestic violence non-contact order was being sought by his brother.
Mr Geary ordered a bail assessment report to be prepared, and he was remanded in custody until his next hearing on Tuesday.
More Coverage
Originally published as Northern Bulk Solutions managing director Mitchell Gibson allegedly assaulted brother
