Brutal attack over drugs, debt caught on video
A father and son could be facing long stretches in jail after admitting to beating a man on camera with a baseball bat while threatening to shoot him.
Barry Johnston, 50, and his son Cameron Johnston, 28, have pleaded guilty to an attack on a man at Howard Springs, which was filmed by a third man who is also in custody, News Corp reports.
The graphic footage shows the Johnstons beating and kicking the bleeding man as he lays on the ground. The video appears to confirm the vicious confrontation started over drugs and debt.
“I don’t owe you money, c---,” one of the men is heard yelling.
“Never show up here again,” another one of the attackers says to the cowering victim.
Cameron Johnston is then seen smashing the man’s mobile phone with a baseball bat before allowing him to leave.
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A court in the Northern Territory has heard the victim suffered more wounds as he fled the property when he was set upon by dogs.
He was also reportedly beaten with a bat before the video was recorded.
Barry and Cameron Johnston have pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and threatening to kill the victim. The man filming, Cameron Barnard, also pleaded guilty to causing serious harm for his role filming the incident.
The victim suffered a fractured forehead which required surgery, seven metal plates and 18 screws.
The court heard the victim came to the property after Cameron Johnston told him he would pay him money he was owed. The dispute reportedly started after Cameron failed to pay the victim for a car, prompting him to steal it back.
According to News Corp, Barry Johnston blamed the victim for his son’s recent addiction to methamphetamine.
Cameron Johnston has also pleaded guilty to possession of ice and four kilograms of cannabis with a street value of about $200,000.
The trio is expected to be sentenced on Thursday.
