An Albury police prosecutor has slammed the antics of a roof plumbing business owner who grabbed an apprentice "by the scruff of the neck" before slamming him into a work ute.
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Wodonga man Brendan Gorman targeted the apprentice all because he dropped a plank.
Gorman began "screaming" at him that he was "this close to being sacked" and was "a useless c ... "
Police said Gorman grabbed the victim by his shirt collar and pushed him around.
He then "pushed the victim into the side of the utility whilst holding him by the scruff of the neck".
Prosecutor Sergeant Erica Mulligan made clear to magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim just how unacceptable she found Gorman's behaviour.
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Defence solicitor Mark Cronin had submitted his client's regret at what he did, while also outlining the context within which the assault occurred.
Mr Cronin said roofing plumbing was a risky occupation that required strict adherence to safety procedures, so Gorman needed to be vigilant regarding his employees' actions.
Gorman, 46, pleaded guilty this week to common assault, for which he was placed on a community corrections order without conviction.
The court was told the apprentice began working for Gorman's business on November 5.
On March 12, about 6.50am, the victim arrived at Gorman's home to begin work.
He and his colleagues loaded the work utes with supplies for the day, then he and one other worker drove to the site of a house being built in Olive Street, Albury.
They began unloading steel roofing sheets from the ute, helped by three other staff. But moments later, Gorman told the victim and his workmate they had to attend a different job.
With that they began re-loading, but the victim "momentarily" dropped then caught a plank that almost hit a side panel on the ute.
This was when Gorman began abusing the victim and pushing him around.
The victim complained to police the following day.
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