Michael John Knight keys Gold Coast’s Krystle Smith’s car in Logan causing $10k damage

A man’s bizarre act of revenge on a Gold Coast fitness influencer and former co-worker has landed him in court after he caused $10,000 worth of damage to her car.

Krystle Smith (left) had her car keyed by Michael John Knight (right), the damaged Ford Mustang is pictured below

A man’s bizarre act of revenge on a Gold Coast fitness influencer and former co-worker has landed him in court, after he caused $10,000 worth of damage to her property.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard on Monday, July 10 that Michael John Knight, 52 had a disagreement with a former colleague at Fitness Cartel, Beenleigh.

On February 8 in the car park outside the gym, the Mt Cotton man vandalised Krystle Smith’s 2015 silver Ford Mustang with a screwdriver.

The court heard he was seen by an onlooker in the car park who reported it to police and Knight was captured on CCTV.

The witness saw Knight walk around the car and damage every panel of the car with a tool.

Knight was seen by the witness wearing a grey hoodie, face mask and green Nike shoes which were later discovered in his home by investigating officers.

Ms Krystle Smith had her car keyed by Michael John Knight outside a Logan gym.

The court heard the damage was estimated to be upwards of $10,000 and the victim, Ms Smith started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs.

In the online campaign, the Gold Coast fitness instructor said she was incredibly angry and in disbelief over the situation.

“A low life has decided to key my whole Ford Mustang, every panel of my car has been keyed with a screwdriver down to bare metal and I just don’t have any financial means to repair it,” she wrote in the GoFundMe.

“The damage to the car is extensive and is in urgent need of being repaired before rust sets in.

“I can’t even begin to explain how disheartening this nightmare has been and the repair job has been quoted at $10,000 to $12,000.”

Magistrate Gary Finger said it was the worst damage he had seen for a case like this.

Ms Krystle Smith's Ford Mustang which was keyed by Michael John Knight outside a Logan gym

“I’ve been doing this job a long time and this is the worst damage to a car I’ve seen for something like this,” he said.

Knight pleaded guilty to one count of wilful damage.

When asked by Magistrate Finger what possessed him to do this, Knight said he had a brain fade.

“It was stupid and spur of the moment,” he said.

Michael John Knight leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court

“Krystle and I had a fantastic working relationship when I was working at the gym but I had a major falling out with Fitness Cartel and took it out on her.”

Knight was convicted and fined $1000 but no conviction was recorded.

He was also ordered to pay $10,825 restitution to Ms Smith.

Originally published as Michael John Knight keys Gold Coast’s Krystle Smith’s car in Logan causing $10k damage