A man who allegedly admitted to police that he "was going to kill" an 87-year-old World War II veteran in a road rage attack has been granted bail.
New Zealand national Martin Bruce Gamman appeared in Parramatta Local Court charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and with predatory driving.
Police said Gamman, a truck driver on a "good behaviour" driver's licence - an alternative to having your licence cancelled - punched Thomas Golden, 87, repeatedly in the face after the cars they were driving bumped while merging into a lane at a Campbelltown intersection.
Gamman, 33, of Campbelltown, allegedly told police, "I was going to **** kill him but when I realised he was an old prick, I gave him a couple and then I left."
Gamman was driving with his girlfriend and son after shopping when he was forced to mount a Campbelltown roundabout to avoid a collision with a car driven by Golden, according to a police statement of facts tendered to the court.
Golden, who served with the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in the Middle East during World War II, had rammed his Hyundai into the driver's side of Gamman's silver sedan forcing it into gravel beside Therry Road, Campbelltown, Gamman told police.
Gamman then "snapped and chased after and stopped him", the statement said.
He stopped Golden from driving further by skidding in front of him "how police do it in the crazy police videos you see on TV," Gamman allegedly told police.
Gamman then opened Golden's door and said: "What the ****hell do you think you're doing," police allege in the statement.
"The accused stated that he started to punch the victim in the face even though he realised the victim was in his 80s."
In the alleged admission Gamman would have continued to "belt the ****out of the victim," if Golden had not shouted.
Golden received facial lacerations to his mouth and cheeks and remained at Campbelltown Hospital in a stable condition.
Gamman's lawyer said he did not know Golden, did not intend to contact him and had co-operated with police.
"There's a lot more that needs to be looked at ... essentially provocation issues," she said.
But Prosecutor Nadia David told the court Gamman was "a violent man".
"Considering his admission, he's likely to be convicted," she said.
In granting Gamman conditional bail Magistrate Ronald Maughan said he accepted the allegations were serious and there "seemed to be some substance given" to Gamman's admission.
In my view, not to grant him bail would be to appear to make a judgment and that's not what bail court is for," Magistrate Maughan told the court.
His bail conditions require Gammon to report daily to police and not to contact Golden.
He is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on August 15.
Networks Ten and Nine reported Gammon had not posted bail and remained in custody.
