A YOUNG father who deliberately swerved at a family’s car while driving near Grassmere will be off the road for six months.
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Brayden Tampion, 20, of Johnstone Road, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to one charge of driving in a dangerous manner.
The court heard that at 5.40pm on June 2 this year Tampion was driving on Grassmere Road ahead of the victims’ car, which was carrying a couple and their two children.
Upon reaching a 100km/h zone, Tampion kept travelling at 80km/h, and when the following car tried to overtake “the accused braked heavily and swerved towards the victims’ motor vehicle”, police prosecutor Sergeant Sandra Skilton said.
The other driver had to brake hard to avoid a collision and Tampion continued to drive erratically and not allow the other car to overtake.
Once clear of Tampion, the victims attended the Warrnambool police station to report the matter, the court heard.
Sergeant Skilton said that when Tampion was interviewed by police he claimed he had been tailgated and denied swerving across the road.
Defence counsel Alex McCulloch told the court Tampion was supporting his young family by working two jobs on dairy farms and would lose both if he lost his licence because he would be unable to get to work.
Mr McCulloch added there had been “ongoing history between the victims and (Tampion’s) friends”.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said he had no choice but to take Tampion’s licence off him because he had placed people at risk.
Mr Mellas acknowledged two character references from Tampion’s employers which noted the 20-year-old was a diligent and reliable worker.
Tampion was convicted and fined $750 and his licence was suspended for six months.