Beaconsfield Mine collapse survivor Brant Webb fronts court over assault allegations

Beaconsfield Mine collapse survivor Brant Webb is facing two counts of common assault after a dispute over “shoddy” repair work escalated. The details.

Beaconsfield Mine collapse survivor Brant Webb with defence counsel James Kitto, as he fronts the Launceston Magistrates Court over two counts of common assault. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Beaconsfield Mine collapse survivor Brant Webb allegedly punched a man twice after a dispute over “shoddy” repair work escalated.

Brant George Webb, 55, appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault.

Police prosecutor Anne Knox said the assaults occurred on February 9, 2022, outside the United Service Station at Beaconsfield.

The court heard that at about 2:30pm, the complainant, Brian Skeel, exited the Beaconsfield bottle shop in his dual cab ute when he heard a commotion from the service station.

Mr Skeel, in giving evidence to the court, said he pulled over to see what was going on when he saw Mr Webb running towards him and screaming, “I’m going to f.....g kill you”.

Mr Skeel said Mr Webb punched his vehicle and then punched him in the face below his right eye before he returned to the service station. After Mr Webb left, Mr Skeel said he called emergency services.

The court heard that during the call to triple-0, the officer asked Mr Skeel who had struck him, and he replied, “Brant Webb, the bloke who was down the mine at Beaconsfield”.

Brant Webb one of the miners who was trapped underground in the Beaconsfield gold mine collapse in 2006. Mining of the gold asset beneath the original mine is set to recommence after being acquired by NQ Minerals. 27/05/2019 photography Peter Mathew

The court heard Mr Webb then confronted Mr Skeel again, this time punching him in the right shoulder blade.

Defence lawyer James Kitto told the court his client had “previous dealings” with the complainant after repairing Mr Skeel’s roof in 2020.

Allegedly, Mr Skeel posted to the Beaconsfield Buy and Sell page and said Mr Webb’s work was “not up to standard” and “please be aware of these guys”.

Mr Kitto said Mr Skeel was not satisfied with the quality of Mr Webb’s work and had “defamed” him on social media on two occasions.

Following the dispute, Mr Kitto said Mr Webb issued a restraint order against Mr Skeel on February 12, 2021.

“There was a barrage of Facebook posting from you, Mr Skeel, and your partner Caroline, until Mr Webb applied for a restraint order,” Mr Kitto said.

“There were approximately 50 or more posts online referring to Mr Webb and his co-workers as thieves and lies.

“You put all of those posts up defaming him, purely to defame him.”

Mr Kitto said Mr Webb was suffering from anxiety as a result of Mr Skeel “attacking his character, business, and family”.

Mr Kitto asked Mr Skeel if he had pulled over on the day of the incident with the intention of hurting Webb.

“You stopped because you saw Mr Webb,” Mr Kitto said.

“You wanted to have words with him, and you wanted to put your feud to bed.”

Mr Skeel declined, saying he pulled over to “see what was going on” and had no intention of engaging with Mr Webb.

“I think you’re dreaming,” Mr Skeel said.

Mr Kitto conceded Mr Webb “may have touched Mr Skeel” when he approached his vehicle but said he did so in self-defence.

“Mr Webb was grabbed on the collar by Mr Skeel when he approached Mr Skeel’s car to tell him to stay out of his life. He then wrestled free of Mr Skeel,” Mr Kitto said.

Mr Skeel adamantly denied that it occurred, saying, “That did not happen, I swear on all my children’s lives”.

Magistrate Evan Hughes adjourned the matter until May 9 at 9.45am, with another witness set to stand trial at the hearing.