Juergen Hoffmueller: Surry Hills CEO in court for office spat, threats
The CEO of a financial firm in Sydney’s CBD had a “brain malfunction” according to a magistrate when he broke down an office door and launched into an incredible tirade at another businessman.
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The chief executive of a Surry Hills finance company has fronted court over an ugly office spat which saw him break a glass door and yell “I’m going to deck you” toward another businessman.
Juergen Gerhard Hoffmueller, 49, is the chief executive and founder of small financial planning firm eFinance Group based in Surry Hills.
The Wollongong man appeared in court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to stalk or intimidate and destroy or damage property over the dispute on March 5.
However, he escaped conviction after a magistrate labelled his behaviour a “brain malfunction” and out of character.
The agreed facts stated Hoffmueller rented an office suite in a commercial building on Elizabeth St and he had a dispute with another tenant, Nathan Kellock.
Kellock also rented an office space on a separate floor.
“Hoffmueller had recently had strata action taken against him in relation to a car park allocation and believes (the victim) Kellock is responsible for this decision,” the agreed facts stated.
Hoffmueller approached Kellock’s office during the afternoon of Thursday, March 5 and tried to force open the locked glass door.
The agreed facts stated he “bent his legs” before pulling hard at the door handle several times damaging the glass door and hinges.
The victim returned to his office less than an hour later and – after struggling to open the damaged door – locked himself inside and called police.
The agreed facts stated Hoffmueller returned and stared at Kellock through the glass door before pointing at him and yelling threats.
“You’re f****** nothing, I’m going to make sure everyone knows you’re nobody,” he yelled.
“Step outside, let’s sort this out like a man … I’m going to deck you.”
He also said “I’m going to come back every day until I get what I want”.
The incident was caught on CCTV footage and Hoffmueller was later charged by police.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy sentenced Hoffmueller to a conditional release order without conviction at Downing Centre Local Court, taking into consideration his otherwise good record and his paying for the damaged door.
The court also heard he had sought professional help following the ugly incident.
She said when someone goes from “naught to 100” like that it was often connected to other stresses they were going through.
“I accept you did not mean those things that you said.”