Man's Violent Rampage: Knife Threats, Dog Threats, and Employer Confrontation
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A man with a history of drug use has admitted to a series of violent incidents across the Wangaratta area, including confronting his employer with a knife, threatening to run over a woman's dogs, and demanding a witness change a police statement.
Key Takeaways
- Angus David Caldwell engaged in multiple aggressive confrontations.
- Incidents involved threats with a knife, vehicle intimidation, and physical altercations.
- Caldwell cited a return to drug use as a factor in his behaviour.
Confrontation with Employer
Angus David Caldwell, a plasterer, became involved in a heated dispute with his employer and a colleague at a Glenrowan job site. Caldwell aggressively demanded outstanding pay, escalating the situation to the point where his employer feared assault. The confrontation continued at the employer's home, where Caldwell arrived in his vehicle, demanding payment. The situation devolved into a fight involving a baseball bat and a hunting knife, with Caldwell threatening to stab those present. He then fled before police arrived.
Witness Intimidation
Later, Caldwell approached one of the men involved in the employer confrontation at a Wangaratta Bunnings store. He stood over the man, demanding he change his statement to the police, an incident witnessed by several other people.
Threats Against Woman and Her Dogs
In a separate incident, Caldwell violently confronted a woman at her Wangaratta property. After an altercation involving their dogs, Caldwell threatened to run over the woman's pets, stating, "I'll run the c---s over if they're on the road." He also drove his car erratically towards her.
Other Incidents and Legal Proceedings
Caldwell was also involved in a confrontation at Falls Creek, where he damaged a car key and attempted to gain entry to a vehicle. Additionally, he threatened a police officer at the Wangaratta station, attempting to headbutt him.
Caldwell's lawyer stated that his client had returned to drug use prior to these offences but had been clean since August. The magistrate expressed concern about Caldwell's anger and control issues, noting that he had "gotten out of the confrontation with his former employer lightly." The case is scheduled to return to court on February 13.