A shocking family drama unfolded in Tasmania, Australia, that makes most family feuds look tame in comparison.
David McCulloch, 41, probably didn’t expect his day to end in jail time, but then again, he probably didn’t expect to find his wife and brother in quite that position either.
When Your “Where Are You?” Texts Go Unanswered
It started like many modern relationship squabbles – with unanswered phone calls. McCulloch grew suspicious when his wife of six years, Jacinta King, wouldn’t pick up her phone. But instead of finding her shopping or at a friend’s house, he discovered something straight out of a reality TV show gone wrong.
The World’s Most Uncomfortable Car Scene
McCulloch tracks down the car, only to find his wife and brother Jamie getting intimate in the backseat. But here’s the twist that takes this story from bad to absolutely wild – their mother was casually sitting in the driver’s seat. Yes, you read that right. Their. Own. Mother.
McCulloch’s reaction? Grab a shovel from his car (because who doesn’t keep one handy?) and go on what the court called a “rampage.” He started throwing punches, wielding the shovel with such force that it actually broke in half.
In the chaos that ensued, both his wife and brother ended up in the hospital with minor injuries, and his poor mom got pushed into a trash can while trying to play peacekeeper.
The court later acknowledged this might have been just a tad “upsetting” for McCulloch – understatement of the year, perhaps?
McCulloch pleaded guilty to several assault charges (plus some bonus charges for cannabis and firearm possession) and got handed a three-year prison sentence.
Justice Tamara Jago noted the obvious “breach of trust” between family members, which might win the award for most diplomatic description of this family fiasco.
Editor’s Note:
Source material: The Advocate (Tasmania) newspaper report of the court proceedings from the Burnie Supreme Court hearing.