Luke O’Dea pleads guilty to damaging property of ex-girlfriend
He was once an attacking midfielder for Melbourne City in the A-League, but his alcohol-fuelled antics against his ex-girlfriend’s car have left a Magistrate far from entertained.
Bass Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bass Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former A-League player went on an alcohol-fuelled rampage and smashed up a car belonging to his ex-girlfriend.
Luke O’Dea, 27, pleaded guilty in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court to property damage.
The court heard O’Dea went to his ex-girlfriend’s house on July 9, 2017.
At 10:25pm she heard a loud bang and went outside to find her car windscreen, driver’s window and rear window shattered and the panels down one side the vehicle damaged.
Police later found blood on the rear-right passenger window and had it analysed, arresting O’Dea on August 18.
The total cost of damage to the victims vehicle was $6,089.64 and the victim was without a vehicle for a number of weeks which impacted her ability to go to work.
O’Dea’s lawyer Kim McFarlane said at the time of the offending there was a “lack of maturity”.
“Alcohol was clearly an issue,” Ms McFarlane said.
“He has grown up significantly since that period of time”.
Magistrate Simon Garnett said O’Dea’s behaviour in 2017 was “disgraceful”.
“It was obviously calculated and shows you had a lack of respect for the rights of the property of others”.
“The community and this court do not tolerate violent responses to what you may have perceived at the time as a provocative situation”.
The matter was adjourned without conviction to Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on October 1, 2021.
O’Dea was ordered to pay $750 to the Court Fund and must be of good behaviour during the period of adjournment.
MORE NEWS
RESIDENTS FRUSTRATED OVER SAN REMO UNSEALED ROAD
WHY DEVELOPER PULLED PIN ON GRANTVILLE SUPERMARKET
ALARMING INCREASE OF FAMILY INCIDENTS
Contact Brooke at brooke.grebert-craig@news.com.au