Brad Zackery Johnson, from Kadina, sentenced over attack on man during Wallaroo fishing trip

A man on the way to go fishing with mates spotted his ex’s former partner on the side of the road – and the encounter quickly turned violent.

A mechanic from Kadina has been spared jail time after leaving his ex-girlfriend’s former partner in hospital with serious injuries following a senseless roadside attack involving a machete, a court has heard.

Brad Zackery Johnson, 26, had just embarked on a fishing trip to the Wallaroo Jetty with a group of mates in February 2022 when he noticed the victim riding a bike on the side of the road. Acting on the suspicion that his girlfriend at the time had been “poorly treated” by her ex-boyfriend, the court heard Johnson told one of his friends he “wanted to belt him one”.

Presiding in the District Court on Thursday, Judge Anthony Allen acknowledged his friend had used the machete – and noted the defendant wasn’t aware of its existence – but still submitted he “continued to participate in a joint criminal enterprise” by punching the victim a number of times while he lay on the ground. In April this year, Johnson pleaded guilty to aggravated causing harm with intent to cause harm.

“On your journey, you noticed the victim who was riding his bike. You both got out of the car and approached the victim,” Judge Allen said. “At some point thereafter, (your friend) produced a machete. (He) swung the machete at the victim’s head causing him to the fall to the ground and whilst the victim was on the ground, you punched the victim three times to the head.

Brad Zackery Johnson was sentenced in the District Court on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

Brad Zackery Johnson was sentenced in the District Court on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

“It is accepted that prior to the attack, you did not intend for a machete to be used. However, notwithstanding this, you continued to be present whilst (your friend) harmed the victim with the machete.

“You had an understanding that (your ex-girlfriend) had been poorly treated by the victim during the course of their relationship.”

The victim was taken to hospital after the attack with multiple lacerations across his head, forehead and forearm.

Johnson was arrested on the same day of the offending after a forensic investigation conducted by police revealed blood on his T-shirt matched the blood of the victim.

On Thursday, Judge Allen suspended Johnson’s sentence – acknowledging his “progress made since the offending” as an aspiring mechanic.

“Your employer considers you to be a valuable employee and hopes that you can embark on a further apprenticeship as a heavy diesel mechanic,” he said. “You have an excellent employment history and good support from your employer.

“But, take it from me, you wouldn’t want to get tangled up in anything like this ever again.”

Johnson was sentenced to two years, four months and 16 days in jail with a non-parole period of one year and four months – suspended upon entering into a two-year good behaviour bond.

Originally published as Brad Zackery Johnson, from Kadina, sentenced over attack on man during Wallaroo fishing trip