Patrick Anthony Sergi, 37, has faced Griffith Local Court for breaching an apprehended violence order twice - once allegedly threatening the victim with a machete, then again three months later with a compound bow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He was charged with two counts of breaching the AVO, stalking and intimidation, and assault.
At the Nericon property in June, Sergi, a farm worker, went to the victim's property where he was roasting coffee beans in his shed around 9.10pm.
Alerted to his dogs barking, the victim saw Sergi standing in the door, holding what appeared to be a machete.
The victim became fearful because Sergi had previously threatened to "flay him" which was the original basis for the AVO in June 2018.
Sergi said "you've been on my farm?... If I ever catch you over there, there will be trouble. Your fingerprints are everywhere." Officers attended Sergi's house the next day at 6.55pm, where he was arrested.
He declined to be interviewed. Sergi again threatened the victim in October. Woken up to loud banging around midnight, the victim opened one of the side doors, keeping the fly screen door closed, and saw Sergi standing about two meters away.
"You've been on my farm again picking fruit," Sergi said. He saw Sergi raise a black compound bow fully drawn.
The victim quickly shut the door, ushered his wife and son into the middle of the house and called the police.
Sergi went to report at the station for his bail requirements in October and was arrested. In the interview, he declined to comment, however admitted "I was coming down from ice."
Sergi's representative, Barry Bunton, outlined his problem with illicit drug use. He detailed medical injuries which caused him pain, and was self medicating with cannabis.
He explained Sergi was rejected by a doctor to get a prescription for cannabis oil.
Sergi then moved to crystal methamphetamine as a pain reliever. His behaviour had become erratic, and he had "paranoid delusions".
Mr Bunton outlined Sergi's family were providing emotional and financial support, spending $60,000 for his rehabilitation for drug, psychological and pain issues. Mr Bunton said the victim was agreeable for Sergi to return to the property as long as his rehab continued.
Sergi received one 12 month intensive community corrections order with 100 hours of community service, on the condition he continue with his rehabilitation and treatment. He received the same sentence for the intimidation charge, with supervision from Community Corrections.
For the breach in October, he received a 16 month intensive corrections order with another 100 hours of community service.
The common assault charge landed him with the community correction order for 16 months and 100 hours, also conditional on his continuation of rehab and treatment.
All sentences began on April 4 and will finish in 2020.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.
