Christofer Ristov sentenced for damaging 114 number plates in Brighton Le Sands

A man who bizarrely damaged or stole more than 100 number plates across a four-hour period in Sydney’s south has been unable to explain his antics in court.

Ristov outside court. Picture: Aymon Bertah

A man who bizarrely stole or bent 114 number plates across a four-hour period at Brighton Le Sands has been unable to explain his antics in court.

Christofer Ristov, 28, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to larceny and destroy or damage property.

Agreed facts state the number plates were stolen or bent from 98 individual cars parked in Bay, O‘Neill, Princess, Bruce and Gordon streets, as well as Crawford and Teralba roads, and Brighton and Moate avenues between 1am and 5am on March 12.

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 and 16 were removed and found nearby or not located, costing owners $48 per plate.

Christofer Ristov, 28, pleaded guilty when he appeared for the first time in Sutherland Local Court in April. 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.

Police arrested Ristov after a public appeal for information. Picture: NSW Police

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

Ristov, who was unrepresented, told the court he was willing to pay the cost to the victims.

He said he was not dependent on alcohol or drugs but had previously been medicated for his mental health but was no longer taking it on his doctor’s advice.

A police prosecutor said the victims had sought compensation but she did not have the details of the amount owed.

St George Police started an investigation into reports number plates were allegedly stolen from cars across the Brighton-Le-Sands area. Picture: NSW Police

Magistrate Jillian Kiely said Ristov had provided no explanation for his actions which appeared to be “impulsive” and committed while he was under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.

She said Ristov got he benefit of leniency because he had no criminal history.

The court heard Ristov had no children nor a partner and was on Centrelink benefits after he stopped working as a bricklayer in January.

Ms Kiely said Ristov’s actions needed to be denounced because of the “sheer number” of plates he damaged or destroyed, and the cost he caused to residents who had to pay to replace them.

Ristov was convicted and sentenced to a nine-month community correction order for both charges.