Chainsaw-wielding offender jailed for 14 months

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A man who chased another man around the forecourt of a petrol station while running a chainsaw at high speed has been jailed for 14 months.

Hunter Craig Cavanagh, 46, of Alexandra, appeared for sentencing in the Alexandra District Court yesterday for assault using a chainsaw as a weapon on August 26 at Alexandra.

'' ... members of the public, particularly in an area like a petrol station, should not have to witness that kind of violent and intimidating behaviour,'' Judge Stephen Coyle said.

Cavanagh held the chainsaw 30cm away from the victim's head at one stage, after a heated argument between the two men, who were acting ''like a couple of strutting peacocks'', Judge Coyle said.

The defendant was also sentenced for driving while disqualified at Cromwell on November 14 and breaching his post-detention conditions.

It was disappointing those offences were committed while he was awaiting sentencing on the chainsaw assault charge, the judge said.

Cavanagh did not seem to care about the consequences of his actions.

He was sentenced to 12 months' jail on the assault charge and two more months on the driving while disqualified and breaching conditions charges, to be served cumulatively.

Cavanagh's release conditions included counselling and treatment as directed by the probation officer and he was also ordered to have a psychological assessment.

He was disqualified from driving for 13 months.