AN ARARAT man is undertaking a good behaviour bond after getting into a physical altercation with a child outside KFC.
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James Marshall, 33, appeared at Ararat Magistrates' Court via video link on Friday and pleaded guilty to unlawful assault.
At around 3pm on March 27, 2021, Marshall approached the victim, who was known to him, at the outside dining area of the KFC.
Marshall yelled at the victim to get their attention and then grabbed the victim by the collar, pushing them into a table.
The victim's mother, who was inside the store at the time, saw the altercation and ran out to intervene.
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The next day Marshall presented to the Ararat police station and told police he was trying to scare the victim and was worried the victim was trying to pressure their child into participating in criminal activities.
Magistrate Tim Walsh reprimanded Marshall for assaulting someone half his age and said the situation could have easily gotten out of hand.
"I can understand your frustration and protective instinct as a father," Mr Walsh said.
"This is not the way to deal with a matter like this, if (their friends) had jumped in who knows what could have happened."
Mr Walsh placed Marshall on a three-month good behaviour bond without recording a conviction.
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