Hendrick Manussen: 76-year-old avoids imprisonment for assault of 103-year-old neighbour over bad parking

An Albany man who assaulted his 103-year-old neighbour over bad parking and left her on the driveway to do his shopping has avoided jail. Hendrick Manussen was sentenced in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday for the unlawful aggravated assault of his elderly neighbour that caused her bodily harm. Police prosecutor Sgt. Dylan Fisher said the 76-year-old “had a history of angst” over the centenarian’s parking at the Spencer Park elderly living facility where they shared a driveway, which had resulted in restraining orders. At 11am on January 25, Manussen got into an argument with the victim after she refused his repeated requests to move her badly parked Nissan Micra. Manussen then grabbed her by the throat and forcibly moved her out of his way, causing her to fall on the concrete driveway where he left her, leaving to do his grocery shopping. A witness called an ambulance, and the victim was treated for a cut and bruising on her elbow. Manussen told the court he was “very sorry” but denied the incident was an assault. “She was annoying and I asked her to go away,” he said. “I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and gently guided her out of the way.” Defence lawyer Sonia Anderson said her client did not intend to hurt the victim but acknowledged that his actions exceeded a reasonable response. Following the incident, she said Manussen was forced to vacate the facility and get rid of a large portion of his possessions. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said the assault was significant due to the victim’s advanced age and that any fall could be fatal. “You’re not a young man Mr Manussen but you are fairly significantly younger,” she said. “It sounds like there had been a good relationship that deteriorated, and on this instance you let irritation well and truly get the better of you.” Manussen was fined $1400, suspended for three months. Assault causing bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation is liable to imprisonment for seven years.