Los Angeles car jackings triggered Mr Universe Calum Von Moger’s road rage, court hears

The former Mr Universe who lost his temper and slashed a car’s tyres in a road rage incident has provided reasons for his dramatic behaviour.

Calum Von Moger faced Melbourne Magistrate Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to charges of intentionally damaging property, carrying a prohibited weapon and careless driving of a motor vehicle.

The 32-year-old was involved in a traffic incident with another car in Altona North on January 26.

After a “verbal altercation” with the other driver, he climbed into the passenger side of the victim’s car and eventually “stabbed the victim’s tyre”.

When police located Mr Von Moger after the incident, he was arrested and his vehicle searched.

Inside, police found a Victorian number plate “covered in blood”, a black knuckle duster, a tomahawk and a hunting knife, the court was told.

He was transported to Werribee police station and later released on bail.

His lawyer Bernard Campigli said Mr Von Moger’s dramatic reaction to the situation was caused by negative experiences he had while living in the United States.

“He was the victim of a number of car jackings that left him scarred and traumatised and triggered a reaction that people here wouldn’t have,” Mr Campigli told the court.

“That triggered a slightly excessive reaction, your honour.

“I accept that Mr Von Moger can’t go around stabbing tyres, essentially.”

Mr Campigli also told the court of how his client’s mental health declined rapidly in the past year and he spiralled “out of control” upon returning to Australia for a number of reasons.

“He’s taken testosterone for a number of years because he doesn’t produce it naturally,” Mr Campigli said.

He will face a sentencing hearing in November.

Mr Von Moger made headlines in May this year after falling from a second-storey window at his parents’ home before being placed in an induced coma.

He found fame competing in the bodybuilding circuit before winning the Mr Universe title in 2014.

Mr Von Moger played Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2018 American comedy-drama Bigger.