A Milton man drove two hours to his former employer's home over a wage dispute, then smashed windows and deliberately ran the victim down as he left, a court has heard.
Byron William Howard appeared in the Dunedin District Court this afternoon having pleaded guilty to charges of intentional damage, possessing a weapon, dangerous driving causing injury and failing to stop to ascertain injury.
The acceptance came only days before his trial was due to start, the court heard.
Howard worked at the victim's Tapanui business up until mid-2016 when it became plagued by financial issues.
The employer – whose name was suppressed by Judge Michael Crosbie – told the defendant it was best he look for another job.
He did not believe there was any great animosity between them at that point, he said.
The man gave an emotional victim impact statement detailing the ordeal, which saw his business eventually go under.
He and his family moved into his mother-in-law's crib in Cromwell, while Howard relocated to Milton.
But on the evening of July 13 last year, the defendant got in his car and headed for Central Otago.
When he reached his ex-employer's home, he demanded money he believed was owed to him.
The victim advised him he should leave and that he did not want to argue.
Howard yelled abuse and went back to his car, but he was not willing to make the two-hour drive home without leaving his mark.
He retrieved a large crowbar from the vehicle and began smashing the windows of the house.
Glass was propelled 10-15 feet into the house, Judge Crosbie said.
Despite being barefoot, the victim ran across the broken glass and out of the house to film Howard as he drove away.
The defendant intentionally steered towards the man – driving at 30kmh - launching him on to the bonnet.
He slid to the floor and Howard drove off.
Police stopped him on the way home in Alexandra and while he admitted smashing the windows, he said he tried to swerve to avoid the victim.
The judge said what differentiated the case from many others was the level of hostility exhibited by Howard.
“There is a real element of cruelty to this,” he said.
“This is a major incident of rage.”
Judge Crosbie said home detention would not suffice.
Howard was jailed for two years and banned from driving for four years.
The court also ordered he pay for the damage he caused.
