Melbourne Magistrates’ Court: John Stathopoulos pleads guilty to criminal damage after forklift ride in Williamstown

A Williamstown man rammed through a fence of a worksite with a forklift after an argument over a $24,000 debt with a former business owner.

Former secondhand brick salesman John Stathopoulos pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 12, 2023.

A second hand brick seller rammed the fence of a former business partner’s worksite with a forklift during a debt collection visit, a court has heard.

Williamstown’s John Stathopoulos pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of a prohibited weapon and cartridge ammunition in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

On June 30, Stathopoulos went to the Kororoit Creek Rd worksite of a former business partner to discuss a pay dispute.

Police prosecutors said an argument erupted as Stathopoulos claimed he was owed $24,000 cash for second hand bricks he gave to the former business partner to sell on his behalf.

The court heard the former associate left the yard and locked the gate, trapping the 56-year-old inside.

He then hopped on a forklift and drove it through the fence, causing extensive damage to both.

His lawyer said he was injured during the debt collection visit and spent days in hospital afterwards.

He is also a recipient of the disability pension and suffers from multiple health issues.

The court also heard that on an earlier unknown date, police located a shotgun shell in his glove box and a baton at his house.

He told police he picked up the shell when he worked at a demolition yard as he kept interesting things he found and he originally thought the baton was a telescope.

Stathopoulos was convicted and fined $500 and ordered to pay costs.