Walcha Court no show ends in conviction for Peter John Eckford

Eckford was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious damage to property in his absence by Magistrate Michael Holmes on Friday, May 25.

On Wednesday, November 22 last year the 46-year-old Walcha man assaulted a 49-year-old male he had known for about 35 years. The victim was a friend of Eckford’s brother and said most of the time he got on well with the offender.

The victim was at home alone in Fitzroy Street, Walcha drinking vodka between 9 am and 12 pm. At the same time, Eckford was drinking bourbon at another residence in Fitzroy Sreet with another male. The victim was aware that they were there and went to visit them but as he did not drink bourbon, and disliked cigarettes which Eckford was smoking, he left.

At about 12.20pm Eckford walked into the victims unlocked unit. The victim was standing in his lounge room when Eckford began swearing and yelling at him. Eckford then put both his hands on the shoulders and neck of the victim and pushed him face down onto the floor. Eckford punched the man’s head repeatedly, and the victim said he felt a knee impact on the left side of his ribs. Eckford then stomped on his victim multiple times while shouting “I’m going to kill you…….I’m going to kill you”.

This was heard by a witness nearby who called 000. Eckford's teenage son then walked in and told Eckford to stop, which he did.

The victim left and walked to the nearby Commercial Hotel where he asked the licensee to call an ambulance. The licensee drove the man to the nearby Walcha Multi Purpose Service. Eckford remained in the victim’s unit for a short time and the witness heard the sound of smashing glass and slamming cupboards and doors. A short time later Eckford left the unit and crossed Fitzroy Street out of sight of the witness.

Police arrived not long after and patrolled for Eckford but were unable to find him. They then went to the local hospital where the victim was located. The victim was taken to Armidale hospital by family members. As a result of the assault, the man sustained one fractured rib on his left side and grazes to his right elbow and right shin. 

Later that afternoon the victim returned home to find the window and rear glass door of his unit had been smashed.