Twist after Raymond and Barbara Edwards are caught keying Tesla, BMW in Brisbane car park

An elderly couple who keyed luxury cars have claimed vandals retaliated by allegedly throwing rocks at their home, a court was told.

An elderly couple who keyed luxury vehicles in broad daylight in a fit of road rage claim they were targeted by vandals who allegedly threw rocks at their house, a court was told.

Raymond Edwards, 70, and his wife Barbara Edwards, 70, each pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday to wilful damage.

The guilty plea came after the couple were caught on camera damaging luxury cars at inner north Brisbane’s Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton in October last year.

Raymond Edwards, 70, had keyed a car parked in a Brisbane shopping centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Barbara Edwards, 70, also pleaded guilty to wilful damage. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The footage from the damaged Tesla’s on-board cameras, which was first obtained by 7News, shows the pair weaving through the parked cars before keying the electric car with aim to cause damage.

The court was told Mr Edwards had also keyed a white BMW parked next to the Tesla.

Defence lawyer, Bruce Peters, said his two clients were earlier in the day allegedly “almost forced” into a power pole by a white Tesla and a white BMW about 800m from the Brookside Shopping Centre.

The footage from the damaged Tesla show the Edwards keying the car. Picture: Supplied via NCA NewsWire

Mr Peters said the Edwards then “wrongly took (their frustration) out on who they thought were the culprits”.

“Once they regained their composure, they continued onto the Brookside Shopping Centre and lo and behold, the two cars that they thought were the ones that cut them off – a white BMW and a white Tesla – were parked adjacent to one another” Mr Peters said.

“They took their frustrations out on the cars.”

Mr Peters said the Edwards were apologetic for the damage they’d caused and were “happy to make compensation”.

But it’s the aftermath of their anger that has caused the most upset for the couple, the court was told.

Mr Peters said since the video of the pair keying the cars was aired on Channel 7, the couple had been “vilified” online.

“Some of what the comments were, they were quite atrocious,” he said.

Raymond Edwards, 70, was caught keying a car in a Brisbane shopping centre carpark. Picture: Supplied via NCA NewsWire

Mr Peters said a rock had also been allegedly thrown at his clients’ house as a direct result of the video going viral.

The couple were supported by friends and family on both occasions they appeared before court.

Their supporters acted almost like bodyguards as the pair scuffled out in an effort to avoid being photographed, with umbrellas and face masks used to avoid detection.

But police prosecutor Sergeant Josh Kelly said the couple’s decision to cause damage to the cars was inexcusable regardless of their motive.

“It’s the case for whatever reason, there’s been some sort of disagreement with the road users and the defendants have taken matters into their own hands and indiscriminately broken laws,” he said.

The couple tried to hide from media when leaving court last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Sergeant Kelly said officers had received quotes for the damage to each vehicle, amounting to $2443.61 for the BMW and $1794.51 for the Tesla.

He explained police would be seeking the Edwards to pay for the repair costs despite the possibility the car owners might have had insurance.

“In the circumstances, it’s appropriate restitution be ordered for those amounts regardless or not the people have insurance,” Sergeant Kelly said.

“The community at large sufferers if we rely on the insurance to cover expenses.”

Mr Edwards was ordered to pay $2443.61 in restitution for the damage caused to the Tesla and the BMW, while Mrs Edwards was ordered to pay the remaining $897.25 for Tesla repair work.

The couple were each given a $500 good behaviour bond for 12 months.

No convictions were recorded.