Geraldton man who bashed a moped rider in Spalding pleads guilty, placed on intensive supervision order

A Geraldton man has pleaded guilty over his part in the bashing of a moped rider in Spalding last year. Hakaraia Te Waru Goulton, 23, appeared at Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday via video link from prison on charges of assault occasioning bodily harm. Prosecutor Sgt Troy Guildersleeve told the court Mr Goulton was a passenger in a Holden Astra driven by co-accused Joshua Ross McDonald, 35, on September 17 when the vehicle forced the moped off the road. The rider fell to the ground after trying to run away from Mr Goulton and Mr McDonald, who then dragged the man to their car and kicked him. The rider attempted to get back on the moped and ride away, but the men blocked his way and continued to kick him. Sgt Guildersleeve said the keys to the moped have not been recovered, with police alleging the men stole them from the vehicle. Mr Goulton’s mother and brother were in court to support the man on Thursday, with the 23-year-old’s defence council saying the family were dedicated to helping Mr Goulton overcome his use of methamphetamine, which he had been consuming at the time of the assault. The lawyer said Mr Goulton understood the “serious nature” of the “sustained and prolonged” assault. Mr Gouton’s spent seven months on remand in prison, time in custody which his defence council said had acted as a “personal deterrent” against re-offending. Magistrate Chris Miocevich said he took Mr Goulton’s time in custody into account during sentencing, placing him on an eight month intensive supervision order. Mr McDonald also appeared in court on Thursday but the matter was adjourned until May 24.