A Geelong man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after threatening a victim with a machete and chasing him through the streets. Jakota McKenna, 24, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates' Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to charges including making threats to kill, possessing an offensive weapon, and affray.
The Incident
The court heard that on the evening of March 15, McKenna confronted a man in the suburb of Norlane. He produced a machete and made threats to kill the victim before chasing him. The victim managed to escape unharmed and alerted police. Officers arrested McKenna shortly after, and he has been in custody since.
Court Proceedings
Magistrate Ann McGarvie described the offending as serious and said it would have caused significant fear to the victim. She noted that McKenna had a prior criminal history but showed some remorse. The sentence was backdated to account for time already served, meaning McKenna will be eligible for parole in 12 months.
Defence lawyer Sarah Lee said her client had been under the influence of drugs at the time and had since taken steps to address his addiction. She argued for a community corrections order, but the magistrate deemed jail necessary due to the severity of the threats.
Community Impact
Geelong police Detective Senior Constable Mark Thompson said the incident highlighted the dangers of weapons in public. He commended the victim for reporting the crime and urged anyone with information about similar incidents to come forward. The case has sparked renewed calls for tougher penalties for knife crimes in Victoria.
McKenna's sentence includes a 12-month non-parole period, and he will be subject to a supervision order upon release. The court also imposed a condition that he must undergo drug and alcohol treatment.
