Tony Siketa granted diversion over damaging Angela Carr’s corflute

A prominent butcher who used a Stanley knife and lighter to damage the corflute of a Geelong council candidate is “ashamed” of his actions, a court has heard.

A prominent butcher who was caught on camera defacing the corflute of a Geelong council candidate will avoid a criminal record.

Siketa Meats’ Tony Siketa appeared in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with two counts of wilful damage.

The 62-year-old from Torquay was placed on a 12-month diversion plan and ordered to pay $2000 to the court fund by Judicial Registrar Michael Bolte.

Siketa was caught in a sting by Socialist Alliance members, who installed a camera on Hughes St after two other posters promoting the party’s Hamlyn Heights candidate, Angela Carr, were stolen or damaged.

Tony Siketa, left, defacing the election corflute and, right, leaving Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

According to a police summary, the corflute was found damaged on September 21 and again on September 26.

Footage from the second occasion showed him attempting to cut the corflute down with a knife, melt it with a lighter and deface it with a permanent marker.

The cost of the damage was $48.40.

Socialist Alliance campaign manager Tim Gooden lodged complaints with the police and Victorian Electoral Commission on September 29.

Siketa was interviewed by police on October 10 and made no comment to officers.

Siketa’s lawyer Moricia Vrymoet told the court he accepted responsibility and came before the court “quite ashamed” of his actions and was very apologetic, knowing what he did was wrong, but he “certainly supports the democratic process”.

The court heard one reference provided on Siketa’s behalf mentioned that he “takes great pride” in the Hughes St shopping precinct, and could often be seen maintaining the whole strip.

Ms Vrymoet said the incident was best described as an error of judgement on Siketa’s part, as he thought permission was needed from all shop owners before any posters were placed in the shopping precinct.

“He later found that out to be incorrect,” Ms Vrymoet said.

Mr Bolte said he trusted that the matter coming to light and before the court would serve as a warning to others who might consider damaging electoral material.

The matter was stood down so Mr Bolte could consider the diversion option.

When it was recalled, Mr Bolte granted Siketa a diversion, with the court hearing the four references tendered on Siketa’s behalf came from business owners, school principals and even a former police officer.

Mr Bolte said he accepted Siketa was a community-minded man with integrity.

However, on this occasion, he had a “momentary brain fade” and didn’t realise the impact and consequences of his actions.

Mr Bolte said it was unlikely Siketa would reappear before the courts for similar offending.

Originally published as Tony Siketa granted diversion over damaging Angela Carr’s corflute