A man charged with intimidation for attending the property of a person he's had an ongoing dispute with, in order to "sort him out", was convicted in his absence when he failed to appear in Mudgee Local Court.
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Donny Hobbs of Mount Misery Road, Mudgee, was fined $1,100, when the matter proceeded in his absence on Friday, July 10, 2020, having entered a plea of 'not guilty' at an earlier date.
According to the police facts submitted to the court, at about 11am on Monday, April 1, 2019, the 61-year-old arrived at the victim's property with an axe and told witnesses that he would "kneecap" him.
He then approached the victim at a different part of the property, who asked him what the axe was for, to which he answered "to sort you out". And said he wanted to collect a wagon and demanded that he "move your car or I'll put an axe through it".
Hobbs was told to leave, but refused and was still present when police arrived.
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Officers noted that he wouldn't elaborate on the incident when questioned and that answers he did provide were "smug and rude".
When asked about the "sort you out" remark, Hobbs said "no I meant sort it out, like sit down and have a coffee and chat".
He then said the victim was lying and that he too could lie. And - while still in the presence of police - called Crime Stoppers and said the victim had "10-12 illegal and unregistered firearms on his property and also has homemade bombs".
Police also submitted that Hobbs said to the victim, "all you had to do was give me the gates", referring to a set of gates destined for the tip.
He was charged with 'Stalk/intimidate intend fear of physical etc harm (personal)'.