Rage fuelled SMS attacker parolled

A DISGRUNTLED teenager who had just been dumped by his girlfriend via SMS deliberately reversed into her car.

Brandon Mack Purchase ( right) received the text message on August 28 this year and decided to go to his girlfriend’s house at Burdell to get the break-up news face-to-face.

The Townsville Magistrates Court heard Purchase had consumed six cans of beer before driving.

Police prosecutor Subarna Ruat presented two photographs to Magistrate Ross Mack of the damage to the car and said the offence was fuelled by rage.

“It is concerning the aggrieved felt like that was the only way to break up the relationship via text message because the defendant gets violent,” he said.

“He deliberately reversed at speed.”

Mr Raut said the total damage to the woman’s car totalled $1562.

Preceding the August event, the 19-year-old was drinking beer in his front garden when police drove past on January 8 t this year. The court h heard, as the police d drove by, Purchase yelled y out, “f**k off y you dickheads”. As police arrested Purchase for his outburst, he assaulted a police officer.

Purchase pleaded guilty to 17 charges including wilful damage and serious assault.

Defence solicitor Ralph Lake said his client smoked 7g of cannabis a day and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in jail. “It was a stupid thing and he should not have behaved that way,” he said.

Magistrate Ross Mack told Purchase that his behaviour did not “speak of any gallantry” on his behalf.

“Very few men go throughout life without being disappointed on the romantic side of things, so you are not different,” he said.

“Most people don’t smash up their former partner’s car, there is a petulance about that.”

After spending 56 days in declarable pre-sentence custody, Mr Mack sentenced Purchase to six months’ jail with immediate parole. in