Australian table tennis great fronts Ringwood court for slashing his ex wife’s tyres

A three-time Olympian slashed all four tyres on his ex-wife’s car in a sleeping pill-induced haze after breaking up with his girlfriend.

Former Olympian Russell Lavale appeared before Ringwood court on Monday.

A former Olympian has been busted by a neighbour slashing four tyres and smashing two lights on his ex-wife’s car.

Russell Lavale, 49, fronted the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging property.

Lavale, who competed in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics for table tennis, drove to his ex-wife’s home on December 17 to drop off some items.

The court heard Lavale then drove away and returned to the house on two more occasions that evening.

Russell Lavale, who was recently inducted into the table tennis hall of fame, pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging property in a Ringwood court.

On his final visit, Lavale proceeded to slash all four tyres of his ex-wife’s car and then

smashed two of the car’s lights

A neighbour spotted Lavale, who was barefooted and in a red top, and reported the incident to police.

Investigators located Lavale at his home at 12.35am on December 18.

They spotted the former Olympian, who was recently inducted into the table tennis hall of fame, lying on his bed.

Lavale ignored police and then moved to another room, out of sight of the police.

Police officers gained entry to the home through a window and arrested Lavale who said he had taken 16 sleeping pills.

At the time of his arrest, he denied causing any damage to the car and asked police if there was proof.

Two days later, Lavale apologised via text to his ex-wife for the criminal damage.

“I am sorry for what I did,” the message read.

“I just broke up with my girlfriend.

“I don’t know why I did it.”

The court was told Lavale has long suffered from bipolar disorder.

Magistrate Hayley Bate said this incident would have been a “terrifying experience” for his former partner.

However, she also noted he had not offended since the incident and had been keeping up to date with his mental health treatment.

Ms Bate sentenced Lavale to a 12-month good behaviour bond with conviction.

She also ordered him to make a $500 donation to a family violence support service and pay $700 restitution for the damage he caused.