Paragraphs three & four read: "Mr Skuse said that day coincided with the anniversary of the death of Pierce’s son, which added to the emotion, and his client had also neglected to take his medication that morning."

His client had a number of health issues including anxiety and depression and, at times, had trouble with anger.

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2009/10/02/road-rage-drives-man-smash-car-window/

Road rage drives man to smash car window

Peter Hardwick | 2nd October 2009

ROAD rage had driven Mathew James Pierce to pursue another car through inner-city Toowoomba streets and smash the other driver’s window with a steering lock, the city’s Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Pierce, 40, had been following the complainant’s car on Ruthven Street about 11am on December 17, last year, but had skidded to a halt as the lead car turned into Long Street, the court heard.

Prosecutor Sergeant Alison McKee told the court the complainant told police he heard Pierce yell something as he drove off and soon after spotted the defendant’s car following closely behind.

After Pierce’s car continued to follow through the streets, the complainant called police.

Eventually, the complainant had driven back to the Long/Ruthven streets intersection and stopped at a red traffic light.

Stopping his car behind the complainant’s, Pierce got out holding a steering lock with which he twice struck the complainant man’s driver’s side window, Sgt McKee said.

Pierce’s solicitor Brad Skuse said police had recently withdrawn other charges against his client relating to the incident and Pierce had therefore pleaded guilty to a single charge of wilful damage.

His client instructed that the complainant had stopped suddenly causing Pierce to brake heavily.

Pierce claimed the other driver had then gestured to him which he initially ignored, but it had “got the better of him”.

Mr Skuse said that day coincided with the anniversary of the death of Pierce’s son, which added to the emotion, and his client had also neglected to take his medication that morning.

His client had a number of health issues including anxiety and depression and, at times, had trouble with anger.

Magistrate Kay Ryan said one could only imagine the feelings of those in the complainant’s car at the time.

She placed Pierce on nine months probation, ordered he pay $500 restitution for the damage caused and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for one month.