Road rage pair given jail terms
TWO Ipswich road rage attackers will spend actual time in jail for a shocking and unprovoked attack on another driver along the Warrego Hwy.
Leon Anthony Hoggard-Piacun, 26, and Joel Robert Halliday, 20, were yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison for a callous and protracted bashing of a 56-year-old man while armed with a hard hat.
After hearing the facts at sentencing in Ipswich District Court on Friday, Judge Deborah Richards adjourned the case to consider the penalty, telling the men to "kiss their children goodbye" before they returned to court yesterday.
Judge Richards ordered Hoggard-Piacun be released on parole on December 20, while Halliday will be released on October 20.
Each man had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company and wilful damage, after the duo wrote off the car by smashing it up.
Crown prosecutor Kris Ashen said there was no excuse for the defendants' appalling behaviour.
"It was a frightening and vicious road rage attack - not only was the victim punched and kicked, but (the men) were armed with a hard hat," Mr Ashen said. "It was persistent and callous."
Mr Ashen said road rage attacks were becoming more prevalent.
"It was done with deliberation and determination in broad daylight - it is particularly concerning one kept stomping on the victim's head," he said.
