Road rage pair jailed for nine months
Two men who terrorised a driver in a horrific road rage attack live-streamed to social media have been jailed.
Kale John Callegari, 21, of Australind, and Samuel Josef King, 21, of Leschenault, broke down in tears as prison officers took the two men into custody after sentencing was handed down in Bunbury Magistrates Court this morning.
Magistrate Belinda Coleman said the behaviour of the two young men could only be described as completely and utterly outrageous and a “complete brain snap” which endangered the lives of many.
King was behind the wheel of a Holden utility on Old Coast Road in Australind on September 30 last year when he retaliated to an altercation with another driver by accelerating heavily, reaching excessive speeds and at times crossing to the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.
King handed his passenger and friend, Callegari, a baseball bat and told him to “smash him with that” as the road rage attack continued onto Forrest Highway.
King was using his mobile phone to live-stream the entire attack to Facebook while driving.
The disturbing footage shows Callegari hanging out of the moving ute and smashing the window of another car as King egged on his mate.
King’s car swerves between lanes and overtakes other vehicles on the highway before driving dangerously close to his victim’s car.
King can be heard telling Callegari to jump as the vehicle reaches what appears to be high speeds on the highway.
The footage was shared multiple times on social media with King eventually handing himself into police.
The uploaded vision was previously described by police prosecutors as the men claiming bragging rights.
In court today, it was told how both men suffer from mental health issues.
Duty lawyer Jeanette de Klerk said a psychologist report showed Callegari suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after a troubled upbringing along with anxiety and depression.
Mrs de Klerk said Callegari was prone to acting impulsively especially at times when he believed he was being mistreated.
Defence lawyer Paul Chapman said the incident was a “gross” example of road rage that King accepted was inexcusable, but he also suffered anxiety, depression and anger issues.
Police prosecutor Sgt Jo Morrissey responded that the incident was “ridiculous and extremely dangerous”.
“We’ve heard today that both suffer from mental illness, but the only thing they appeared to be suffering on the day is stupidity,” Sgt Morrissey said.
Magistrate Coleman said both men were equally culpable and despite their obvious remorse and lack of criminal history, a term of immediate imprisonment was the only appropriate punishment.
Both were handed a head sentence of nine months (with a further six months for Callegari and 12 months for King, all to be served concurrently) in jail and made eligible for parole.
Callegari was also fined $800, while King was fined $600 and had his driver’s licence disqualified for 18 months.
The men’s supporters in court broke down in tears as they were taken away.
Outside court, one supporter told media to f... off while Callegari’s grandfather said his grandson had learnt a big lesson and he hoped “it works out well”.
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