A CALOUNDRA father who terrorised a 15-year-old boy after another youth threw an egg at his car has escaped jail.
Matthew Joel Cronk, 28, and an unnamed accomplice, were driving in Currimundi on August 19, 2017, when an egg struck their moving vehicle.
They got out of the vehicle and saw a group of teens ride off. The men then hid in the bushes, waiting to retaliate.
One of the boys made his way back and Cronk pounced, “manhandling” the boy to the ground and pinned him down.
The accomplice lifted and threw the boy’s BMX bike to the ground.
Only the men got the wrong boy – he never threw an egg.
This morning, Cronk pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage.
Police prosecutor sergeant Leonie Scott told the court the victim sustained abrasions and bruising from the assault and handed in a victim impact statement.
Defence lawyer Donna Hanslow-Hastie told the court it “frightened the life out of him” when the egg struck her client’s car.
She told the court Cronk was provoked and acted out of character. She sought a monetary fine.
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin argued Cronk’s behaviour was not spontaneous and called him a “tough guy”.
“Hiding in the bushes is not provocation, it is making a plan to get him back,” magistrate McLaughlin told the court.
“The force of the tackle hurt him. It would be terrifying for a young fellow. If this was your child, you would be outraged.
“I accept you never struck the victim. If you did, you would be looking at jail time.”
Cronk was hit with one $500 fine for both charges, ordered to pay $500 compensation to the victim and to pay a $117.50 restitution.