Peter Gerard Edgar found guilty of using Facebook posts to harass Karting Australia boss Kelvin O’Reilly

He’s had some strong words for prominent figures in the world of motor racing. But today the strong words were directed by a magistrate at Peter Edgar as a verdict was handed down on charges he used Facebook posts to harass them.

Peter Edgar arrives at the Southport courthouse. Picture: Tertius Pickard

A SOUTHPORT man described as a “vindictive menace” has been found guilty of using Facebook posts to harass Karting Australia boss Kelvin O’Reilly.

But Magistrate Gary Finger today found the posts made by Peter Gerard Edgar, 56, about motor racing legend Mick Doohan were not menacing or harassing.

“You are in my view a vindictive menace hellbent on destroying the personal and professional integrity of these two men and you don’t care what the effect on these people will be,” Magistrate Finger said.

Edgar was sentenced in the Southport Magistrates Court today to six months prison but released with a $2000 behaviour bond which will be in place for three years.

Motor racing legend Mick Doohan. Picture: Alex Coppel

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The decision comes after a three-day trial, during which Mr Doohan gave evidence, into the hundreds of Facebook posts Edgar made on his Federation of Australian Racing Karters Union page.

He had pleaded not guilty to using a carriage service to menace and harass.

One of the posts included a picture, taken through a window of the North Burleigh Surf Club, of Mr Doohan and Mr O’Reilly at a Karting Australia meeting in May 2016.

Minutes later Edgar posted a picture of himself at the same surf club with the caption “Nice day for a lynching”.

In posts Edgar also suggested Mr O’Reilly was corrupt or incompetent.

Edgar was last week ordered to pay Mr O’Reilly $250,000 in damages for defaming him in the posts.