A Melbourne magistrate labelled a senior Hells Angels bikie "cowardly" as he jailed him for punching an elderly woman in the face.
The motorcycle gang's sergeant-at-arms - Peter "Schitzo" Hewat - was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including striking a 64-year-old woman during a dispute over his dog.
In sentencing Hewat, 58, of Craigieburn, magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said the court would not tolerate violence, particularly violence towards women and the elderly.
"Your actions were cowardly and must be denounced," Mr Lethbridge said.
"She no longer feels secure in her own home."
The court heard Hewat had gone to the victim's house several times and called her by abusive names, spat at her and said "karma will get you", before the punching incident.
Barrister Shane Tyrrell, for Hewat, argued that while Hewat struck the woman during the fight over his white Shih tzu called Harley, the victim had "exaggerated" the incident.
"If Mr Hewat punched anyone in the face, there might be a little more damage than a swollen cheekbone," Mr Tyrrell said.
Mr Lethbridge accepted the woman had been abusive towards Hewat's wife.
Hewat also pleaded guilty to weapons offences, handling stolen goods and operating a tow truck without the proper licence.
However he argued through his lawyer he did not know he was not authorised to operate the trucks, nor did he know the goods were stolen.
Police discovered the vehicles, including a bobcat and a ride-on mower, and several rounds of ammunition during raids on his home in Melbourne's north.
Raids on his business uncovered more ammunition and a Taser-like device that looked like a mobile phone.
Hewat has served 191 days of pre-sentence detention.
Share
