Lunch basher walks

Alex de Vos
A 28-year-old father who repeatedly bashed a Torquay milkbar operator for serving him soggy salad rolls and cold pastries has avoided jail time.
Belmont’s Anthony Tancredi pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to a charge of recklessly causing injury.
Police prosecutor Kerrie Moroney told the court that on February 3 Tancredi attended the Bell Street milkbar to purchase three salad rolls and three sausage rolls.
Senior Constable Moroney said Tancredi then paid for the rolls and left the milkbar. He later returned and demanded a refund because the salad rolls were soggy and the sausage rolls were cold.
Snr Const Moroney said a heated dispute took place before the defendant threw one of the salad rolls at the victim.
Tancredi proceeded to knock over some shelves of chocolates before grabbing the victim and repeatedly punching him in the face.
The victim suffered a black eye, a cut and damage to his teeth.
Tancredi, who has a history of criminal damage and driving offences, was convicted and fined $1750.
Magistrate Jon Klestadt also ordered him to pay the victim’s $154 dentist bill.
In sentencing, Mr Klestadt told the court Tancredi’s record was “clearly appalling”.
“Violence is never an accepted way to resolve a problem,” he said.
“By engaging in violence you’re ignoring the rights and once violence begins no one is in control.
“I accept there was a dispute and this wasn’t random but you were not entitled to behave that way.
“I’ve given weight to your guilty plea – if you didn’t plead guilty you would’ve been sentenced to jail.”