Man sentenced for smashing up Gladstone woman’s car

When a Central Queensland man knocked on a woman’s door at 2am he was told to leave - but as he left, he caused a trail of destruction.

A man smashed up a woman’s car during an incident at Gladstone. Generic image.

A Central Queensland man who smashed up a woman’s car left his blood on the vehicle and that’s how police pinned him.

Benjamin James Wyvill, 33, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on March 20 to wilful damage (domestic violence offence) and obstructing police.

The court heard that on October 18, Wyvill went to the female victim’s residence about 2am and banged on the door.

She told him to leave and as he was doing that, he damaged her car by ripping off both rearview mirrors, the front number plate and the right side of the grill.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said Wyvill left his blood on the passenger side door while causing the damage, and when police spoke to him later, he had open cuts on both hands.

The court heard when police tried to arrest Wyvill, he refused to comply with any of the officer’s directions, and the officer had to chase him around a vehicle.

Wyvill had a one-page criminal history and the prosecution sought $1500 restitution for the damage caused to the victim’s car.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield submitted a fine was appropriate and she asked that no conviction be recorded.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Wyvill $1000 and ordered he pay $1500 restitution.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Man sentenced for smashing up Gladstone woman’s car