Man smashed cars in ’ball of fury’, court told

A MAN who smashed up three cars in Geelong has been ordered to repay more than $25,000.

Louw Kotze was drunk and arguing with his girlfriend on McKillop St in the early hours of December 9 when he jumped on the parked cars and smashed their windscreens.

In Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Kotze was ordered to repay $25,824 after pleading guilty to three counts of criminal damage.

Kotze and his girlfriend had been walking home to Moolap after drinking at the Slate Bar in central Geelong when they started arguing.

A heavily intoxicated Kotze then launched into a fit of rage, climbing onto the parked cars — which belonged to one family — and kicking in their windscreens.

The entire incident was witnessed by a local resident taking out his rubbish, who phoned police.

Three victim impact statements read to the court detailed how the incident had caused emotional distress to the car owners, with one losing a week’s worth of income due to difficulties driving to work.

Representing himself, Kotze said the incident was out of character. “I can’t believe I was in the state of mind to do that,” he said.

Kotze said other issues in his life — including the loss of a job — had fuelled his “ball of fury”.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work.