When a young woman was being taught by her boyfriend to ride a bike, having fun quickly turned to being frightened after a man armed with a weapon came out and started swearing at them.
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Grant Newport, 73, pleaded guilty to using threatening words in public.
The victims were on the street outside his Buckland home at 5.15pm when Newport approached them and said "who the f--- are you?" and accused their dog of scaring his horses.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Williamson told Wangaratta Magistrates Court that the victims said he was brandishing what looked like a machete, but Newport said it was a brush hook - a tool with a long handle and metal hooked blade.
"He said he felt threatened and was scared," Senior Constable Williamson said.
When the victim started filming on his mobile phone, Newport turned and walked back into his house.
Police were called, but found Newport too drunk to be interviewed until the next day, when he claimed he just asked the victims to put their dog on a lead.
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Newport's barrister Martin Kozlowski his client had been through three previous incidents of other dogs scaring his horses.
"He's had horses his whole life," Mr Kozlowski said.
"He's very much familiar with how horses react when they've been spooked."
Senior Constable Williamson said the victims denied their dog was causing problems.
"Clearly he was upset at the time, he was upset about the dog and scared for the horses," Mr Kozlowski said.
"There are good reasons for the way he felt at the time, albeit not the way he reacted."
Magistrate Ian Watkins said Newport's behaviour set an appalling example, and fined him $750 with conviction.
"It's a nasty-looking weapon and would be fearsome in the hands of someone who is angry," he said.
"You need to understand people should be allowed to go up and down the road and enjoy the public road in peace ... Someone like you brandishing your weapon would have been incredibly frightening.
"There's a way to protect your home, this wasn't the right way."
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