Man convicted after car attack

A TONGALA man* was convicted and fined $1500 after driving on the wrong side of the road towards his former partner, who was sitting in her car.

The man, 25, appeared in Echuca Magistrates Court on Wednesday last week, facing charges relating to the incident on June 14.

In his summary to the court, police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Snell said the victim was in her car parked outside her house when the man drove towards her in a Holden utility.

Sgt Snell said the man drove on the wrong side of the road and scratched the door of the victim’s car, causing $600 damage.

Sgt Snell said the man shouted through the window of the car to the victim that he would ‘‘get her’’ when she was alone.

The man was arrested on June 19 and admitted to driving on the wrong side of the road but denied damaging the victim’s car.

Sgt Snell said the man told police he was led to believe an intervention order had been withdrawn.

Defence counsel Matthew Mahady said his client had been in a relationship with his partner since 2013.

‘‘That broke down in February and he is trying to come to grips accepting the relationship is over,’’ Mr Mahady said.

He said the man was origi- nally from Albury and left school when he was 16 finding labouring work where he could.

Mr Mahady said soon after the incident with his former partner, the man relocated to his family’s home at Tongala and had obtained employment at a piggery where his father worked.

‘‘He regrets his behaviour and is working to get back on his feet,’’ Mr Mahady said.

In sentencing, magistrate David Faram said his behaviour was ‘‘grossly inappropriate’’.

‘‘I think you’ll agree with that. Don’t do it again,’’ Mr Faram said.

(The Riv has not named the man to protect the identity of his victim).