Magistrate rules man’s ex-partner’s car off limits

A Geraldton man who thought he could trash his ex-partner’s car because he paid for it has had a rude awakening. David William Wallace, 39, was sentenced to seven months jail suspended for 12 months in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Wallace was also ordered to repay the $1500 damage he caused. The court was told Wallace arrived at his ex-partner’s Utakarra home on the afternoon of February 6 and set upon her Holden Commodore, breaking a number of windows. He then forced open the back door of the house and stole two phones. He was arrested nearby and charged with criminal damage and stealing. Prosecuting Sergeant Carey Owen said police had no choice but to refuse his bail. “When the time came to bail the accused, he advised that, in no uncertain terms, he would go straight back to the address and breach the protected bail,” Sgt Owen said. “The victim is petrified of Mr Wallace. He is very controlling and abusive.” He said before the incident Wallace made an abusive phone call, accusing her of having another boyfriend. Lawyer Kelly Beard said though the car was registered in his ex-partner’s name, Wallace “believed he was smashing his own property”. Magistrate Chris Miocevich dismissed that excuse, but gave Wallace credit for his early guilty pleas and the four nights he spent in custody. Mr Miocevich also imposed a restraining order, issued a $200 fine, and ordered Wallace to pay $118.50 in court costs.