Kingsgrove tyre slasher Michael Sahartor pleads guilty to 43 destroy property charges

A Kingsgrove man who sparked a police manhunt has admitted to destroying the tyres on more than 40 vehicles across southern Sydney as compensation claims hang on a mental health bid.

Michael Sahartor was caught on CCTV slashing tyres in Kingsgrove on September 15. Picture: Facebook

A Kingsgrove man who slashed the tyres on more than 40 cars in southern Sydney will seek to have the charges thrown out of court on mental health grounds, dashing chances of compensation for the victims if successful.

Michael Sahartor, also known as Hassan Saleh, 41, appeared before Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday from behind bars after he was arrested at Canberra Airport in late September and extradited back to Sydney.

Sahartor pleaded guilty to all 43 counts of intentionally or recklessly destroying property following the tyre slashing spree through Kingsgrove on September 15.

Court documents state Sahartor was caught on CCTV bending down and using an unknown object to strike the front and back driver’s side tyres of a car parked on Broklehurst Lane in Kingsgrove after leaving his nearby home about 1.40am wearing a black hoodie and red backpack.

Sahartor went on to target cars on seven other streets including Kingsgrove Rd, Mashman Ave, Margaret St, Vivienne St, Morgan St, Caroline Rd and Dowsett St.

Michael Sahartor, also known as Hassan Saleh, 41, was wanted for more than 40 alleged malicious damage-related offences. Picture: NSW Police

The majority of the cars, including a Porsche, Mercedes and BMW 330i, sustained puncture damage to the front and back drivers’ side tyres, while all four tyres were punctured on a Hyundai Accent and Toyota Corolla just before Sahartor headed home about 2.30am.

Residents woke up to find their cars immobilised and called police, with the owners of all 43 damaged vehicles making statements and seeking compensation for the costs.

Police executed a search warrant at Sahartor’s address three days later but found his home empty, before the red backpack he had been pictured wearing on the night of the offending was found abandoned close by.

Sahartor was caught and arrested interstate on September 25 after warrants had been put out for his arrest, with orders for the public to not approach him.

He fronted Queanbeyan Local Court two days later where he was refused bail and extradited back to Sydney.

In court on Tuesday, Sahartor appeared via AVL from Silverwater Correctional Complex dressed in prison greens with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Sahartor’s barrister, Ken Buckman, indicated his client wanted to enter guilty pleas to which Sahartor said: “I want to plead guilty to everything, all my charges.”

Mr Buckman said Sahartor also wanted to make a mental health application to have the charges thrown out of local criminal court which, if successful, means the court could not order compensation to be paid to the victims.

Residents woke up to find their cars immobilised the morning of the incident. Picture: Facebook

Sahartor faced Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after being extradited. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Prosecutor Sergeant George Lolis said police were not certain the charges reflected the final count of damaged cars, with more victims expected to come forward after vehicle inspections were completed across the suburb.

Magistrate Philip Stewart pointed out other charges listed against Sahartor, including the two counts of allegedly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Mr Stewart adjourned the fraud charges, to which Sahartor entered not guilty pleas, and the 43 damage property matters until next year.

Sahartor will remain behind bars until he returns to court on January 13.