Christofer Ristov pleads guilty to stealing or damaging 114 car number plates in Brighton Le Sands

A man has apologised to the 98 victims whose number plates he stole or damaged during one night in Sydney’s south saying he “can’t remember” what happened.

Christofer Ristov, 28, pleaded guilty to larceny and destroy or damage property charges after he stole 100 number plates from 98 victims in Brighton Le Sands. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A man has “apologised” to the 98 victims whose 114 number plates he took or damaged during a stealing spree in Brighton Le Sands.

Christofer Ristov, 28, pleaded guilty in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after he stole more than 100 number plates from cars between 1am and 5am on March 12.

Agreed facts said the number plates were stolen from cars parked in Bay, O‘Neill, Princess, Bruce and Gordon streets, as well as Crawford and Teralba roads, and Brighton and Moate avenues.

Ristov was depicted on CCTV in the area approaching multiple vehicles before he attempted to damage or remove the plates.

Police said 98 plates were damaged by being bent or folded and 16 were removed and found nearby or not located, costing owners $48 per plate.

Christofer Ristov, 28, was granted police bail after his arrest. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Police received multiple calls from victims the next morning and crime scene officers attended.

Ristov was arrested on March 28 following police inquiries and a public appeal for information about his identity.

He was charged with larceny, and destroy or damage property.

Ristov admitted to the offences and told officers during a police interview that he was under the influence of illicit drugs at the time.

Christofer Ristov was arrested last week at his Brighton Le Sands home. Picture: NSW Police

In court, Magistrate Jayeann Carney said Ristov’s crimes were a “very serious example” of damaging property, noting there was a level of “organisation” in his behaviour.

The court heard Ristov, who had no legal representation, was not receiving any psychological treatment and was previously a person of good character with no prior criminal record.

“I don’t remember much that happened or the lead up to the incident,” Ristov said in court.

“I would like to apologise to yourself, the victims and my family for my behaviour,” he told Ms Carney.

The court heard police will find out if the plates were recovered and returned to owners, or the cost the victims incurred.

Ristov will be sentenced on May 16.