Employee convicted car rage a lesson for boss

Alex de Vos
A Corio man smashed five cars at a North Geelong car yard to teach his boss a lesson, a court has heard.
Matthew Carter, 20, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a charge of intentionally destroying property.
Police prosecutor Aaron Riches told the court that on December 1, 2008, Carter jumped a cyclone fence into the indoor go-kart centre adjoining the car yard and used a star picket and chrome bar to smash the five cars.
Senior Constable Riches said Carter damaged cars including a Mercedes Benz, a Holden Commodore and a Ford Laser during his rampage.
“Windscreens, doors and mirrors were smashed,” Sen Const Riches said.
He told the court Carter made full admissions during a police interview.
Carter told police he smashed the cars “because he wanted (his boss) to learn to pay people”.
Lawyer Shane Balkin told the court Carter was not paid a “regular wage” as an employee of the go-kart centre.
He claimed the centre owed Carter $25,000 but had refused to pay, Mr Balkin said.
Carter had “flown into a rage” after a dispute over the money.
Mr Balkin told the court that Carter alleged his employer had threatened to assault Carter’s pregnant girlfriend.
Carter had offered to “do something” about the windows after the attack as an apology to his former employer, Mr Balkin said.
Carter planned to leave Geelong in a month for a job in Perth, the court heard.
But Carter’s offer to his employer and job prospect in Perth failed to impress Magistrate Ron Saines.
Mr Saines told Carter his reasons for intentionally destroying property were no excuse.
“It’s not uncommon for people to become cross and angry but you don’t settle things through criminal damage,” Mr Saines said.
“You’ve been before the children’s court and this court for criminal damage. If you allow yourself to be drawn into this activity you will be sentenced to jail.”
Mr Saines convicted Carter and fined him $1000.