A Berkeley man instigated a bitter revenge attack on his ex-girlfriend, scratching the word ‘‘thief’’ into her car before damaging every panel on the vehicle, a court heard yesterday.
Robert Lindsay Gaul caused $1600 worth of damage to his former partner’s car in an attempt to get even with her for allegedly stealing his money, Wollongong Local Court was told.
Placing the 53-year-old on a good behaviour bond, Magistrate Michael Stoddart said Gaul was old enough to know better.
‘‘You just can’t [behave] like that...this was a very expensive act,’’ he said.
Gaul told the court he thought he had ‘‘restrained himself rather well’’ when he extensively scratched his ex-lover’s car on September 1.
Gaul and the victim, who ended their 18-month relationship earlier this year, began arguing outside the woman’s Berkeley home about 10am, a statement before the court said.
The row continued before Gaul tried to etch the word ‘‘thief’’ into the boot, then walked around the vehicle, scratching every panel including the roof.
As he left the scene, Gaul warned his former partner he would be back to finish the job. He was later arrested and admitted to the offence, claiming he had damaged the car because the woman had stolen his money.
Defence solicitor John Gallagher told the court Gaul, who pleaded guilty to damaging property, conceded he had an anger problem.
Magistrate Stoddart placed Gaul on a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered him to pay $1612 compensation.