Man fined for scratching another driver’s car

A MAN who scratched another driver’s car after he parked in a ‘parents with prams’ bay has been fined $800 and ordered to pay $801.90 in damages.

Troy William Dugan pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he appeared at Rockingham Magistrates Court yesterday.

Shortly before 1pm on October 21 last year, Dugan watched a yellow Ford Falcon cut off another driver who was attempting to park in a ‘parents with prams’ car bay at the Warnbro Fair Shopping Centre.

He approached the driver and asked why he had parked there but an argument broke out and the driver walked into the shopping centre.

Dugan then went over to the car, peered inside before using a sharp object to scratch it.

It was recorded on CCTV.

Dugan’s lawyer said he was ashamed of his actions.

“He’s not proud of what he’s done,” she said.

“He saw the man park in a ‘parents with prams’ bay when there appeared to be a woman in a four-wheel drive with children trying to park there too,” she said.

“The car cut her off so she couldn’t park there.

“Mr Dugan found it to be rude behaviour.

“Initially he had words with the victim but the fellow just returned abuse.

“He approached the car under the impression the man had left children in his own car and when he saw no kids were in there that’s when he did the damage.”

Magistrate Leanne Atkins said there was no excuse.

“When you decided to scratch it (car) it does give the court cause for concern,” she said.

“It was cowardly when they weren’t even there.

“While I appreciate that when people who park in those bays are very anti-social beings it does not give you a right to do that.”