Man rams car into potential love rival’s ute

Upset to find another male at his ex-girlfriend’s house, a first offender deliberately rammed into the back of the man’s ute and then lied to police about what he did.

On October 12 at 10.30am, Joshua Alexander Gibson arrived at the New Plymouth home of his former partner to pick up his dog. She had been looking after it for him.

The summary of facts said when he arrived, Gibson reversed down the driveway and parked behind a 2005 Mazda Bounty ute, which belonged to another man who was visiting the address.

After collecting the dog, the 22-year-old got angry about the other man’s presence at the property.

His temper boiled over and he deliberately reversed his car and rammed into the back of the victim’s ute.

The force of the impact caused the ute to hit the car parked in front of it, which then careened into the garage door, knocking it off its runners. Gibson then left the address.

As a result, the ute was significantly damaged.

When Gibson was interviewed about the incident a week later, he told police he had been with a friend the entire morning of October 12 and had been dropped off at his former partner’s home.

He denied arriving in his own car or having any knowledge about the damage sustained to the ute.

Gibson signed a formal statement, despite knowing he had told lies to the officers.

When confronted by police about this, Gibson said he had ‘‘freaked out after hitting the vehicle and didn’t know what do to,’’ the summary of facts stated.

Gibson previously pleaded guilty to charges of intentional damage and making a false statement.

At Wednesday’s sentencing in the New Plymouth District Court, lawyer Kylie Pascoe said Gibson was prepared to pay the $4039 sought by the victim to cover the damage.

The victim had not been insured and had to take out a personal loan to pay for the repair work.

She said Gibson had no previous convictions and was ‘‘hugely remorseful’’ about his actions.

He had wanted to attend a restorative justice meeting with the victim but this had not been possible, Pascoe said.

Judge Garry Barkle said Gibson had let himself down badly when he reacted to the unexpected presence of another man at his expartner’s house.

‘‘You sadly lost a bit of self control and inflicted damage on his vehicle with yours.’’

After getting credit for his guilty pleas and previous good character, Gibson was ordered to pay $4039 in reparation, at a rate of $30 a week and complete 100 hours of community work.

Police also sought a driving disqualification due to the fact a car had been used in the offending.

Judge Barkle imposed a three month driving ban.

"You sadly lost a bit of self control." Judge Garry Barkle