Man fined for damage to motor vehicle

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

A man who allegedly went ballistic, damaging several sections of a motor vehicle belonging to another, was sentenced when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.


Charged with malicious destruction of property is Ashaun Smith.


Allegations are that on the day of the incident, the accused man and the male complainant had a disagreement, which was a spin-off from a long-standing dispute, resulting in a motor vehicle belonging to the complainant allegedly being damaged by Smith. It is believed that Smith inflicted damages to the right side of the complainant's motor car.


The fracas that unfolded appeared to be the final straw for Smith, who sought to put an end to the clash.


According to Smith, the complainant would repeatedly drive his motor vehicle in close proximity to his home, causing a number of disturbances to him and members of his family, including his grandmother. Smith told the court that the complainant was a nuisance, constantly revving the engine of his vehicle, emitting a puff of smoke into the premises he occupied.


"Your Honour, I only damage the right side," Smith said.


"Why did you do that, sir?" asked Resident Magistrate Simone Wolfe-Reece.


"Your Honour, I didn't trouble this man at all. Your Honour, this man disrespect my mom and grandma," said an outwardly agitated Smith.


"Is it by saying something, or doing something?" RM Wolfe-Reece further inquired.


"Saying," Smith replied.


"The damage that you do to his vehicle, it makes it any less disrespectful?" RM Wolfe-Reece asked.


The court heard that on the day of the alleged incident, the accused man is believed to have "ran down like a mad man", grabbing a nearby pickaxe stick, ravaging sections of the vehicle, in turn, shattering the windscreen.


Subsequently, the sitting magistrate sentenced Smith to pay a fine of $20,000, or serve 30 days in prison.



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