Wayne McDonnell threatened to crash a car into his family home with his ex inside

A Southern Highlands man threatened to crash a car into his family home if he didn‘t get what he wanted from his ex.

A local man threatened to drive a car into his home with family inside if he didn’t get what he wanted from his ex.

Wayne Arthur McDonnell, 38, appeared in Moss Vale Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to intimidation and using a carriage service to threaten serious harm.

The court heard the Bowral resident was having an argument with his ex, whom he’d been in a relationship with for 19 years, about the registration of a car on June 8. The pair agreed McDonnell would have ownership of the car, but court documents reveal he wanted the car to remain in her name while he drove it around.

At 9.30am the two had exchanged “civil emails” according to the court documents, but things soon turned nasty. The court heard McDonnell left a voicemail message demanding the registration papers for the car.

Wayne Arthur McDonnell appeared in Moss Vale Local Court on August 18.

“If I don’t get my rego papers today that’s when f***ing s*** is going to get nasty,” he told them.

“I don’t give a f*** about coppers, I’m going to get them f***ing papers today.”

When McDonnell’s ex heard the recording, police facts show she sent a mutual friend to exchange the papers with him. However McDonnell thought the papers were filled out incorrectly and called again, according to the police facts.

“If (she) doesn’t call, I will drive the car into the house. I don‘t care who’s inside,” he said.

The victim went to the police station and was very upset and concerned for her family according to police. The court heard McDonnell has a history of domestic violence, including convictions for domestic assault in 2015.

“The accused’s age and antics prove to police his complete disregard for his family,” the facts stated.

According to the police allegations contained in the court documents, McDonnell was actively avoiding police and wasn’t arrested for the charges until nearly a month later.

His lawyer Fiona Kay said McDonnell had been overindulging in alcohol to cope with the dissolution of his nearly two decades long relationship.

“He’s spent half his life with his estranged wife and family,” she said.

“He was drinking too much”.

Wayne Arthur McDonnell pleaded guilty to intimidation and using a phone to threaten his ex.

She told the court he had no intention of carrying out the “serious threats” and had apologised to his ex. Ms Kay said McDonnell had also stopped drinking completely since the offence and had accepted full responsibility for his actions.

Magistrate Mark Douglass agreed the offences were “very serious” and said McDonnell’s actions would likely haunt the victim for a long time to come.

“The victim may say she forgives you but she won’t forget what you said,” he told the offender.

“She won‘t forget the tone of your voice. She won’t forget the fear.”

Magistrate Douglass said there was “no excuse” for domestic violence and said involving the children was particularly “low”.

He sentenced McDonnell to a 18-month community corrections order and directed him to abstain from drugs and alcohol and to participate in anger management and domestic violence courses.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing or at risk of domestic violence, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (13 11 14).