John Walter Lade, 66, was found guilty of dangerous driving in the Launceston Magistrates Court in January 2023. The incident stemmed from a prolonged series of issues involving a neighboring primary school.
Background of the Dispute
Lade's defense lawyer, Fran McCracken, stated that the problems began after the primary school moved its football goalposts, resulting in numerous footballs being kicked onto Lade's property for years. McCracken presented photographs indicating hundreds of footballs. Lade had attempted to resolve the issue with politicians, the Department of Education, and school staff without success. He informed the school that he would retain any footballs that landed on his property, having previously returned them for years.
The Incident
According to McCracken, Lade's decision to keep the footballs led to him becoming a target for "pranks" and property damage by local children. On the day of the offense, Lade was on his balcony with family when children threw rocks at his home. Due to chronic health issues, Lade used his car to confront the children, aiming to speak with them about the incident.
Court Findings
The prosecution alleged that Lade pursued a youth in his car, driving dangerously. However, Magistrate Simon Brown reviewed video footage and found Lade guilty only of speeding into a car park where young people were present. Magistrate Brown noted that the case was at the "lowest end of the scale" and arose from years of unresolved frustration. Lade acknowledged that his actions were "a step too far."
Originally, Lade faced an assault charge, which was later downgraded to dangerous driving. He was convicted and fined $900. Given that three years had passed since the incident and considering Lade's 27-year sound driving history, the magistrate decided not to disqualify him from driving.