A MAN told a service station attendant she was a "stupid f...ing bitch" after she asked him to pay for petrol he had already put in his car.
Damian Lord, 34, of Yapeen, appeared in Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday, pleading guilty to careless driving and indecent language.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brett Sheppard told the court Lord drove into the Apco Service Station in High Street, Kangaroo Flat, just after 1 pm on August 5, 2006.
The court heard Lord pumped petrol into his car before entering the service station shop.
He handed the attendant a $10 note for drinks that he and his passengers picked up inside.
Sgt Sheppard said the attendant realised Lord had not paid for the petrol as he was getting back into his car.
When she confronted him, the court head Lord told her it was her "own f...ing fault".
The pair exchanged words before Lord handed $20 for the petrol out the window.
Sgt Sheppard said the attendant had to jump away from the moving vehicle as Lord sped off, missing the attendant by 30 cm.
Defence lawyer Sarah Wade told Magistrate Allan Spillane her client took the matter very seriously, had learnt his lesson, and was remorseful about his actions.
Lord needed his licence to drive to work and the behaviour would never be repeated.
"He certainly accepts that his behaviour was very, very bad on this day," Ms Wade said.
Magistrate Spillane described the defendant’s behaviour as truly appalling.
Lord was convicted and fined $500.