Manifold Heights man Danny Naylor damaged cars, threw rock after break-up

Jealous and frustrated about their break-up, a Manifold Heights man lashed out at his ex through abusive messages and acts of vandalism.

Danny Naylor told his ex-girlfriend she was a “horror of a human” and damaged her cars after she broke off their relationship. Picture: Facebook.

A jealous Manifold Heights man has ended up before a court for terrorising his ex-girlfriend when she broke off their relationship.

In the dead of night, Danny Naylor, 50, walked up to a woman’s Curlewis home and drilled holes into her new partner’s tyres just weeks after causing similar damage to her and her adult son’s cars.

The Geelong Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that Naylor was not “in a good headspace” when the relationship ended and lashed out by damaging cars and part of the woman’s landscaping.

Naylor, who pleaded guilty to the criminal damage and stalking the woman over November and December 2022, also showed up at the victim’s home and threw a large rock through her front window, frightening a five-year-old girl who was inside.

Police found him in his car outside and took him to the station, where he admitted to being “jealous” and had struggled with the break-up.

Within a few hours of being released, Naylor sent a message to the woman that accused her of putting him “in jail on my 50th birthday”.

Three days later, Naylor caused more damage to the cars at her home and then sent her a “derogatory and abusive email”.

Danny Naylor damaged cars parked out the front of his ex-girlfriend’s Curlewis home. Picture: Facebook.

In it, he told the woman she was a “horror of a human”, accused her of being a “drama queen” and said she was a “nightmare”.

“I hope you live in hell and die a horror death,” Naylor added.

The woman’s partner had his car damaged last and as he was repairing the tyres, he pulled out a drill piece.

When questioned by police after this incident, Naylor told officers the woman was “toxic and troublesome”.

Defence lawyer Hillary Russell said it was “out of character” but Naylor has since learnt from the offending.

“It is my submission that he has shown he is capable of, and indeed is, rehabilitating himself,” Ms Russell said.

“The behaviour can’t be excused. It was recognised it was appalling and would have caused (the victim) fear.”

Magistrate Simon Guthrie said stalking is a serious charge and “has potentially some very serious consequences”.

“Long term jail comes to mind,” Mr Guthrie told Naylor.

Mr Guthrie said there was also “no place” for damaging cars.

“It would have been planned, it would have been calculated … and has been costly to the victim,” Mr Guthrie said.

Naylor was placed on an adjourned undertaking without conviction, meaning he cannot reoffend over the next 18 months or he will be re-sentenced.

He was also ordered to pay $1000 into the court fund.

Originally published as Manifold Heights man Danny Naylor damaged cars, threw rock after break-up