A man has been refused bail in Goulburn Local Court for a road rage incident, in which police allege he rammed the back of another man’s car, chased him up the highway and assaulted him.
The police facts were described by the Magistrate as “disturbing”.
Mathias Christianson, 41, of Heckenberg did not enter pleas to charges of predatory driving, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, take and drive conveyance, malicious damage, low range PCA, and driving unlicensed.
Police facts tendered in court said at about 4.30pm on Tuesday, November 28, Christianson was travelling north on the highway with a 45-year-old woman in a red Hyundai Accent.
A 21-year-old man was driving a black Honda Integra, travelling behind the Hyundai when the two cars attempted to merge onto the Hume Highway. During the merge the two drivers became involved in a dispute.
As the vehicles drove through Yerrinbool, police allege Christianson drove into the rear of the Honda causing significant damage. Both vehicles stopped on the highway and he got out of his vehicle and approached the younger man in the Honda.
Police allege that Christianson forcibly removed the younger man from the Honda and assaulted him. The younger man managed to get away and started running down the highway.
It’s alleged Christianson got into the Honda and started chasing the younger man. As he approached he stopped the car and started chasing on foot without success. He returned to the Honda where he allegedly jumped on the car and kicked the windscreen causing major damage.
Police were called and arrived soon after arresting the 41-year-old man. He was breath tested at the scene and provided a positive result.
Christianson was taken to Bowral Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis that returned a low-range reading of 0.076.
He was charged with the above offences and refused bail overnight.
In court, Christianson appeared in the dock wearing shorts and prison green t-shirt. There were three corrective officers in attendance.
Christianson’s solicitor Matt Adam applied for bail.
Police prosecutor Gabrielle Weston opposed bail, stating Christianson posed unacceptable risks to the community.
“He has failed to appear when on bail before,” Ms Weston said.
“These are serious matters and a custodial sentence is likely and he made further threats to innocent bystanders who came to assist.
“He shows no remorse for his actions. It was predatory driving and he entered the victim's car and drove at him.”
The solicitor said Christianson was the primary carer for his mother and that he had not been before court for the past eight years. He said Christianson ‘s mother could pose $1000 surety as bail.
“He would report daily to police,” the solicitor said.
“He has acknowledged that he has mental health and anger management issues as well as issues with alcohol and he has been consuming large amounts of alcohol recently.”
Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman said there was a “clear unacceptable risk” that he would not reappear in court.
“He has been convicted for failing to appear before,” Ms Huntsman said.
“The younger man suffered injuries to his jaw and hip as well as cuts and abrasions. He was taken to Bowral Hospital for treatment.
“The police facts are very serious and a jail term is likely. There is a strong prosecution case and in the police interview he admitted that he punched the victim.”
Magistrate Huntsman said Christianson presented “significant harm to the community” and was not remorseful.
“The victim was taken to hospital and is traumatised by it,” she said.
“It began as a road rage incident, Christianson overtook the victim and broke heavily in front of him, forcing the victim to slide off the highway into the breakdown lane. He then pulled the victim out of the car and punched him to the head, causing cuts and abrasions.
“Then the accused follows the victim in his own car and chases him up the highway. He then jumps on the car and kicks in the windscreen as well as abusing people nearby who come to assist.”
Magistrate Huntsman said she could not grant bail given the level of aggression and the harm to the victim.
“The behaviour is deplorable. Running into the back of the car is outrageous,” she said.
“I am simply not satisfied that bail is warranted. The facts are disturbing and a jail sentence is very probable.”
Ms Huntsman refused Christianson bail for him to reappear before Goulburn Local Court on January 18.
David Cole
Journalist at the Goulburn Post
Journalist at the Goulburn Post
