Accusing a teacher of racism and threatening them with violence has landed a man in court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ata Misi, 38, faced Griffith Local Court charged with intimidation and causing fear of physical harm.
Facts tendered to court said Misi had yelled "you racist," standing very close to the victim.
"If she comes home crying again, I'll bash your head in and kill you... I'll stomp your head in."
When police knocked on his door, Misi explained that he was very upset, believing the teacher was racist towards his daughter as she had been in trouble three times in a row.
When asked how he thought the victim had felt, Misi said to police "I think it made him click, I hope he learned a lesson."
Misi's legal representative Piers Blomfield said his client admitted his language was "unsophisticated", and didn't mean to threaten the teacher as much as he had.
"He said the words he used were unsophisticated and was only trying to express anger, but didn't mean to threaten him," Mr Blomfield stated, explaining his client went to the principal afterwards and apologised.
The court heard Misi volunteered at a primary school on his days off, and helped drive the school bus for the children.
READ MORE
Magistrate Joy Boulos accepted Misi regretted his actions and said his apology was sincere, with references speaking highly of him to confirm his remorse.
"Looking at the size of you, you would've made a very intimidating figure," she told Misi.
Mr Blomfield submitted that Misi was able to comply with any bonds, having followed one for a previous violence charge in 2017.
Misi was convicted and placed him on a nine month community corrections order.
***
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.