Men involved in 'Bad Neighbours' feud found not guilty
The husband and son of a Queensland magistrate have been found not guilty of the assault of a neighbouring grandmother they were accused of attacking.
David and Lachlan Pirie had claimed self defence over a confrontation with Jennifer Toohey last February, which flared when she returned to her Gold Coast hinterland home playing loud music.
It was never denied that David Pirie struck her with a shovel handle he uses to guard against snakes while walking through bush.
But the jury had to decide which family they believed.
Ms Toohey, 52, says she was on her property and was attacked.
When giving evidence at the start of the Brisbane District Court trail, she told the jury David Pirie hit her torso so hard it caused her to wet herself.
The Piries, however, maintained Ms Toohey was the aggressor.
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They told the jury she came onto their property with fists clenched, with David Pirie saying he had not gone looking for a fight but had defended himself.
In the lead-up to the confrontation, dubbed by some as reminiscent of the film ‘Bad Neighbours’, Pirie said he was insulted by members of the Toohey family.
He said just before they came to blows Ms Toohey screamed a threat.
“I’m going to come over there and bash you to death,” Ms Toohey said, according to David Pirie.
“One moment I’m having dinner with my wife, it’s Valentine’s Day, next I’m caught in this vortex of abuse coming from the house next door which turns into them attacking us.”
Following a day of deliberations the jury cleared them of two assault charges.
As they were being cleared of the charges, David Pirie leant across the dock and patted his son on the shoulder.
