When Qld disputes turn violent

These are some of Queensland’s neighbourhood wars that ended up with people fronting court.

Violent attack ‘horror movie’

A woman forced to watch “the love of her life” die after he was stabbed by someone he had just given a lift delivered a harrowing, sorrow-filled victim impact statement in a Brisbane court in June 2023.

Robert Watene, 33, was fatally stabbed in the neck at Loganlea in Logan, south of Brisbane, by “grossly (mentally) unwell” neighbour Dakota Tihirua Ruka-Pohe, 27, after they had returned together in an Uber from a social gathering in November 2018.

The “horror movie” played out in front of Mr Watene’s long-term partner, Rachel Maihi, who took to the stand at Ruka-Pohe’s sentencing for manslaughter to detail the family’s devastation in a victim impact statement.

“In the blink of an eye my life was destroyed, flipped upside down and thrown to the wolves,” she said through tears.

“My world and heart were shattered into a trillion pieces.”

As her partner collapsed after being stabbed, Ms Maihi began CPR while using her dress to try to staunch the bleeding.

Since then Ms Maihi has had three minor strokes and was herself “lucky to be alive”.

Ms Maihi moved the family back to New Zealand and is unable to provide the same life for their children who “oozed love” for Mr Watene.

Ruka-Pohe was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the four years and seven months since he was taken into custody declared as time served.

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Suburb dispute turns violent

A neighbourly dispute turned violent when a woman in her 50s swung a 75cm-long crowbar at a man in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Lilith Martin, 57, pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore District Court on May 29 to a sole charge of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed after the incident on September 19, 2021.

The court was told Martin’s neighbour was doing work on his property in his ute when he noticed her standing near the vehicle.

Crown prosecutor Joana Dias said Martin yelled her neighbour had run her over and then approached him with a long crowbar and swung it at his head.

Ms Dias said the man put his arm up to protect himself and the crowbar struck his right ring finger.

The victim then kicked Martin to get her away from him and she fell backwards down a hill, dropping the crowbar. He restrained her to stop her from getting it back and called triple-0 and his wife.

In a video tendered to the court, the neighbour can be heard saying to Martin “do you know you’re on private property?” while she screams she is not able to breathe. He offered to help her up if she calms down.

Martin’s husband, as well as the victim’s wife and young child, ran to the scene before police arrived and an ambulance was called.

Both the victim and Martin were taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where it was revealed the victim had a fractured finger and Martin had a fractured wrist.

Defence barrister Penelope White said her client was a Bosnian refugee who fled her country in the 1990s to escape the war, and has since been diagnosed with PTSD.

Judge Cash sentenced Martin to 12 months behind bars, suspended for another 12 months.

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Jail after ‘horrific’ beating

A man viciously bashed his friend of 10 years before going to a neighbour’s house for a shower, returning and assaulting the stricken man twice more, Cairns District Court heard in May.

Judge Tracy Fantin made a serious violence offender declaration on Richard John Hoare, 45, when she sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years in jail. He must serve 80 per cent of the sentence before being considered for parole.

Hoare was arrested in January 2022 at Euramo, near Tully. He pleaded guilty to wounding with malicious intent.

His 66-year-old victim, Ralph Bruce Nolan, was taken by ambulance to Tully Hospital and flown to Townsville, requiring two units of blood during transport, with dozens of serious facial injuries that required multiple surgeries. They have left him 16 months later with physical disfigurements, disabilities and profound psychological impacts.

The court heard Mr Nolan invited Hoare, who had an extensive violent criminal history, to live in his unit at Euramo and work on a banana farm. An altercation ensued about 10 days later when they were drinking.

The court heard a blood-spattered Hoare showered before continuing the attack. He laced a soup pot over Mr Nolan’s head and punched and kicked it before removing it and hitting Mr Nolan with it. He kicked him in the head and chest for at least five minutes.

“It was a prolonged, ferocious and cruel attack,” Judge Fantin said.

Hoare called triple-0 and told the operator Mr Nolan had cut himself on the hand while cooking.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Hancock said the call was at about 9pm and about 15 minutes later a CCTV camera at the back of the unit recorded the sound of Mr Nolan pleading “oh no, don’t, don’t” and Hoare responding “oh look at you, you dumb c–t, look what you’ve done to yourself”.

A blood-covered meat cleaver was found in a sink.

Judge Fantin said there was a high risk of Hoare reoffending unless he received treatment for substance abuse.

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Attacker left evil message

A man left police a “foreshadowing” voicemail message before launching a horror attack on a dog walker, a court heard in April.

In Bundaberg Magistrates Court, Raymond Leslie Hudson, 68, pleaded guilty to one count of serious assault of a person over 60.

The court heard the victim, 72, lived in a small community of less than a dozen homes south of Monto and had been out walking his dogs about 10.30am on September 11.

Hudson had complained to police about the victim’s manner of dog walking a week before the attack and had left a voicemail to police on the day.

Hudson told police on the voicemail: “G’day it’s Ray Hudson here from Abercorn, that lazy thing from the church, he’s just at the neighbour’s, he’s got the dogs in there and he’s walking around now annoying everyone. You can do something about him, otherwise, you know, someone else might have to”.

About 10.30am, the victim had been walking his dogs when one went into a neighbour’s yard, with the woman at that home yelling at the dog.

The court heard Hudson then yelled out to the victim, who came to talk to him for a short time, before the victim walked towards his home.

It was then police said Hudson jumped in his HiLux ute and drove aggressively towards the victim before braking heavily. A small tomahawk axe was in the vehicle with Hudson.

The court heard Hudson got out, with police alleging he said: “I’m having you c–t”.

Hudson was sentenced to two-and-a-half years. With time served, he can apply for parole on September 15.

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Chainsaw-wielding man’s rampage

A chainsaw-wielding ­arsonist who rampaged through a Central Queensland house during a five-hour siege believed his mother stole $3000 from him.

Clive Robert Peckett threatened police officers with a chainsaw, set fire to a garage and destroyed a ute inside, injured his mother and ignored police negotiators during the siege at a Gracemere residence on March 19, 2022.

Strong lights powered by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ generators were placed on top of a shipping container and facing into the backyard of the Kirsten Close home, as bystanders stood in the surrounding streets and watched as emergency services attempted to calm down Peckett.

Smoke from the garage fire could be seen from blocks away due to the bright lights.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty on January 30 in Rockhampton District Court to one count of arson, two of assaulting police while armed, one of obstructing police and one of wilful damage.

Crown prosecutor Maryam Yousufzai told the court the incident started with Peckett accusing his mother of stealing his money, throwing a bottle at a television and smashing its screen.

Ms Yousufzai said Peckett’s father intervened when his son threatened to smash a laptop. A struggle between the trio resulted in Peckett’s mother hitting her face on the ground. Neighbours called police about 6.45pm.

When the first two officers arrived, Peckett approached them armed with a running chainsaw, which caused them to retreat and call for back-up.

Peckett rampaged through the house and backyard, swearing and yelling.

Police climbed ladders and sat on neighbouring rooftops while trying to negotiate with the former racehorse trainer.

Judge Jeff Clarke sentenced Peckett to three years’ jail, with immediate parole.

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Machete vs baseball bat: Feral duke-out

An Ipswich man armed himself with a baseball bat to investigate an early morning disturbance, only to find his drunk neighbour, who then challenged him to “one-on-one” duke-out with a machete.

Bundamba resident Phillip James Shaxson, 40, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 11, 2022 to going armed so as to cause fear, ­possession of utensils or pipes for use, and possession of dangerous drugs.

Crown prosecutor Shakirra Bassett said that on May 2, a neighbour came out with a baseball bat and torch and found Shaxson sitting in another neighbour’s garden.

Ms Bassett said he asked Shaxson “what the f–k are you doing” and told him “you have to stop this”.

Another neighbour then came outside and told the man to leave Shaxson alone, and further offered to call the police and walk Shaxson to his house.

However, Magistrate Robert Walker said a “fight erupted” between them when Shaxson mentioned the name of the other man’s daughter.

Shaxson then left to grab a machete from his home and returned, yelling “one-on-one” at his neighbour in challenge.

The other man allegedly ran at Shaxson with the baseball bat, and Shaxson backed down. “The potential for things to get a whole lot worse was real,” Mr Walker said.

Shaxson was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, immediately suspended for 12 months, for the going armed so as to cause fear charge.

He was further fined $600 for the drug offences, and convictions were recorded.

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Neighbour cops jilted lover’s rage

A jilted lover broke into the apartment of a neighbour after she discovered her boyfriend of 18 months was “meandering around the complex and found another little door to call into”.

Maddison Darcas April Binns then slapped the “other” woman’s roommate, threw a flat screen TV plus a lamp, slapped the “other” woman and threw a ceramic bowl at her 6am on January 22, 2022.

The 25-year-old’s tirade ended when her boyfriend dragged her out of the apartment.

Binns and the two women lived in the same Labrador apartment complex.

As she was forced to leave she was heard yelling: “I told you I would kick the door in”.

She was also seen laughing and blowing a kiss to the “other” woman’s roommate.

Binns also caused significant damage to the woman’s car which was parked in the car park.

She pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court in September 2022 to multiple charges including common assault, wilful damage and entering a premises with intent.

Magistrate Ron Kilner sentenced her to 18 months’ probation, ordered she pay $2085 in restitution and $500 in compensation. No conviction was recorded.

The court was told Binns had been with her partner for 18 months when she discovered he was having an affair with another woman who lived in the same unit complex.

Binns’ lawyer Chris Hannay, of Hannay Lawyers, said Binns was “embarrassed and apologetic” about her actions.

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Woman terrified as neighbour breaks in

In the early hours of the morning, an elderly woman was asleep in her bed, unaware that she was about to fall victim to a terrifying crime.

The details of the night Peter James Nogar broke into his neighbour’s home were read out before Hervey Bay District Court in August 2022, when Nogar pleaded guilty to burglary by break-in at night, and serious assault.

The court heard that about 4am on December 30, 2021, Nogar broke into his elderly neighbour’s Torquay home through a window.

Nogar then went into the bedroom, hoping to find her purse.

The woman woke up to the sound of her dog barking and at first thought Nogar was her grandson before realising the man was unknown to her.

In the terrifying moments that followed, Nogar held his hand over her mouth, then struck or slapped her, the court was told.

At times when she had his hand over her mouth, and ­because of her fear, she struggled to breathe, the court heard. The woman sustained abrasions to her face and left arm.

The court heard Nogar had been on parole at the time of the offence.

The father of five had ­previously been convicted of another crime committed against a neighbour, the court heard.

He had been sentenced for wilful exposure after exposing his genitalia to a different neighbour.

Judge Vicki Loury said ­people should be allowed to feel safe in their own homes at night.

She acknowledged that Nogar had expressed regret for his actions.

Nogar was sentenced to three years in prison and would be eligible for parole from December 29, 2022.

The 152 days Nogar had spent in presentence custody was declared as time served.

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Man hurt in driving accident

An Oakey man faced court in July 2022 for running down his neighbour when attempting to move a car by pushing it with another vehicle.

John Peiter Westra appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The 43-year-old was at home in Oakey on December 6, 2021, when about 7pm he attempted to move a car that was parked on his neighbour’s lawn by pushing it with his own vehicle.

The court was told in the process of this manoeuvre Westra drove backward, lost control of his vehicle then drove forward, again losing control of his vehicle and crashed into his neighbour who was mowing his lawn at the time.

After the collision, rather than stopping to check on the victim, the court was told Westra drove off from the scene.

Magistrate Kay Philipson sentenced Westra to six months jail, entirely suspended for 18 months, and he was disqualified from driving for six months.

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Man exposes himself during neighbour spat

A man who armed himself with a tool in front of neighbours before showing them his penis during an argument was sentenced to 18 months’ probation in Caloundra Magistrates Court.

Tatenda Kelvin Remigio Kopera, 24, of Kings Beach, was in Landsborough on January 24, 2022, when neighbours called the police following an argument between the defendant and a woman, in which the defendant struck her and caused a swollen lip.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said neighbours intervened and when they approached, the defendant responded by getting a tool out of his car before exposing his penis.

Among other charges, Kopera pleaded guilty on July 22, 2022, to one count of going armed so as to cause fear, one count of wilful exposure and one count of common assault.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Stu Lydford said a wholly suspended term of imprisonment was in range for the offending.

Barrister Mark Dixon said the wilful exposure came about during an exchange of insults about penis size.

“He recognises that it was completely inappropriate,” Mr Dixon said.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said a sentence had to prevent the defendant from reoffending.

She said Kopera grabbing a tool and then exposing himself effectively happened in public after neighbours approached.

The magistrate sentenced the defendant to 18 months’ probation. Convictions were recorded.

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Noise dispute leads to assault

A man who fractured a neighbour’s visitor’s jaw with one punch after losing his temper over loud music and whip-cracking noises was in July 2022 given a jail sentence.

David Alec Stallwood, who initially threatened the other man with a tree branch, was immediately released on ­parole, but ordered to pay the victim $5000 compensation.

Stallwood, 27, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to grievous bodily harm and wilful damage. Crown prosecutor Siobhan Harrison said that on February 20, 2021, Stallwood had an altercation with Wynnum West neighbours, yelling and swearing at them about their loud music.

Stallwood asked them to turn down the music, but instead someone started cracking a stock whip, the court heard.

The judge said there was some provocative behaviour by the victim, who was visiting the neighbours.

“It was 8pm, you had two young children at home. It was in that context that you became obviously angry,” Judge Vicki Loury said to Stallwood.

But she said Stallwood had taken matters into his own hands, going to the other property with a tree branch, using it to hit the neighbour’s fence, causing damage.

Crown prosecutor Siobhan Harrison said that after Stallwood yelled “come at me”, he was told to leave the property, but instead he walked up the driveway, threatening to belt the victim.

After dropping the tree branch, Stallwood took up a fighting stance and punched the victim in his jaw, breaking it, the court heard.

The victim, who fell to the ground hitting the back of his head, required surgery and was left with plates and screws in his jaw.

Stallwood was sentenced to 18 months jail, with immediate release on parole, and was convicted, but not punished for the wilful damage offence.

He was given two months to pay the compensation.

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Man, 80, launches attack on neighbour

The animosity between two Berserker neighbours reached boiling point with an 80-year-old Rockhampton ­father appearing in court for the first time after pushing his neighbour twice and putting a whipper snipper to her hand.

Laurence Joseph Effeney, 80, pleaded guilty in ­Rockhampton District Court on June 13, 2022 to one count of grievous bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Maryam Yousufzai said Effeney was using a whipper snipper on the nature strip outside his and his neighbour’s homes on Nobbs St on December 11, 2020.

Ms Yousufzai said when the victim, Effeney’s 63-year-old neighbour, heard the whipper snipper she went outside and started watering the grass on the nature strip outside her house to prevent Effeney from cutting the grass.

She said Effeney pushed the victim twice, causing her to land heavily on the concrete footpath.

She said Effeney pulled out a black pipe that he waved around and placed the whipper snipper, which was still running, near her right thumb, causing a cut.

The court heard the victim suffered a left elbow fracture and nondisplaced fractures to her wrist.

Ms Yousufzai said there had been “animosity” between the two neighbours for decades.

Defence barrister Phil Hardcastle said “this activity” had been going on for years.

“It seems that the victim thinks the footpath was hers rather than belonging to the council,” Mr Hardcastle said.

“Frequently when he went to whipper snip the concrete she would come out with the hose to stop him.”

Effeney was sentenced to 12 months’ prison, suspended for 12 months.

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