A construction company has filed for liquidation after its chief executive was charged with allegedly headbutting a customer who complained about faulty work and then running him over with his van.
Geoff Calvert, the founder of Canberra-based Calvert Constructions, appeared in court in July charged with assault, furious driving and robbery.
The confrontation between the 33-year-old worker and a customer outside his home was allegedly captured on CCTV.
A doorbell camera allegedly recorded him threatening the customer before headbutting him, after the customer confirmed to Mr Calvert he was being recorded during an altercation on July 27.
“I’m probably going to punch you in the face right now, you idiot,” he allegedly said, before allegedly dragging the customer by the leg through the front door during the altercation.
After that Saturday afternoon fight, Mr. Calvert walked towards his Toyota HiLux pickup truck, with the customer following behind.
The worker then allegedly threatened to run him over before driving into the customer with the bumper on. hitting him on the right knee.
Australian Capital Territory Magistrate Glenn Theakston described the alleged incident as “very violent behaviour” and remanded him in custody until August 19, during a court appearance on July 30.
Geoff Calvert, chief executive and founder of Canberra-based Calvert Constructions, appeared in court in July charged with assault, furious driving and theft.
Mr. Calvert had initially toured the client’s home to observe the alleged defects.
The court heard he had left and returned a short time later before the alleged assault, and the client told Mr Calvert he would record their conversation.
“Why would you do that? It’s quite misleading,” Mr Calvert replied.
The customer said he had texted her to explain that their conversation would be recorded, before Calvert was allegedly caught on camera head-butting her on the front door and then punching her during the alleged fight.
He was arrested the next day.
Calvert Constructions, a family-owned company, entered liquidation on 29 August following a shareholders meeting, with Eddie Senatore Advisory appointed as liquidator.
Access Canberra, an ACT government agency, confirmed it had suspended Mr Calvert’s licence to practise as a Class C building contractor specialising in low-rise residential housing.
A doorbell camera allegedly recorded him threatening the customer before headbutting him, after the customer confirmed to Mr Calvert that he was being recorded during that altercation on July 27.
His license expired on October 1 because he was unable to perform his duties.
“For a corporation to be eligible to hold a licence, it needs to have at least one candidate who holds the equivalent ACT building licence,” a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘If a person cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a candidate on a daily basis, he or she is automatically ineligible to be a candidate.
“If that individual is the company’s only candidate, then the company’s license is automatically suspended.”
Calvert Constructions was also served with a rectification order in January to fix the faulty work to bring it into compliance with the Building Code of Australia.
Mr Calvert, who was refused bail in July, has since posted an application on LinkedIn to work as a foreman at the site.
Mr Calvert, who was refused bail in July, has since posted an application on LinkedIn for a job as a construction foreman.
“I have worked in the construction industry for over 15 years, going from running a carpentry business to running a residential construction business for almost 9 years,” he said.
‘I had good employees and great subcontractors.
‘We delivered quality work on time and the experience was well received by all involved.
“As a former business owner, I know what it takes to get optimal performance from my team.”
His LinkedIn profile showed he had been a director of Calvert Constructions from August 2015 to March 2024.
Since last year, in addition to running a construction company, he has also worked as a foreman on various construction sites.
Construction firms accounted for a quarter of insolvencies in 2023-24 as aggressive interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank limited what banks could lend.
