GOING armed with a bow and arrows to confront a Koroit couple over an $8000 debt has led to a Warrnambool man being ordered to perform 150 hours of community work.
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Lee Downes, 43, of Janlor Drive, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday to five charges, including two counts of assault with a weapon.
He was convicted and placed on a 15-month community corrections order.
Police said that at 1.40pm on December 23 last year Downes drove to a Koroit property to see a couple about a debt.
When the couple’s vehicle pulled up at their property, Downes pointed the bow at them but put it away when he noticed two children in their car.
The victims fled, reported the matter to Koroit police and Downes was intercepted by officers on Raglan Parade in Warrnambool while driving home.
Police found two compound bows, arrows, an iron bar and a hunting knife in Downes his vehicle. He told police he had the items for protection.
Officers also noted there was no alcohol interlock device in Downes’ car as required under his driver’s licence.
Defence counsel Kiernan Celestina said the debt was not disputed and his client’s fiancé had loaned money to the couple.
They had been making payments but stopped late last year and Downes followed up the matter.
Mr Celestina said there had been a text message between Downes and the couple and Downes thought when he went to Koroit there would be other people present.
He said Downes had taken the bows to defend himself.
Mr Celestina said that Downes had a significant criminal history and a number of drink-driving-related prior convictions.
Magistrate John Lesser said that to say Downes reacted badly would be to understate the situation.
Downes was convicted, placed on a 15-month CCO, with conditions he do 150 hours of community work and undertake programs for anger management to reduce the chances of him reoffending.
The bows and other weapons were also confiscated.
