KUCHING: A local man, unable to cope with the end of a 12-year relationship, vented his anger by damaging his ex-girlfriend’s car in October.
However, Austin Morris, 30, faced legal consequences when he was fined RM4,000 in default six months imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court here today (Nov 8).
Austin pleaded guilty before Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali to a charge framed under Section 427 of the Penal Code.
He was charged with damaging the car belonging to a 29-year-old woman at a traffic light along Jalan Song around 12.30 pm on Oct 30.
The victim, who had stopped at the traffic light on Jalan Song, was suddenly approached by her ex-boyfriend during the incident. He proceeded to shatter the driver’s side window with a hammer.
In addition to the window damage, Austin also physically assaulted the victim by pulling her hair and attempting to seize her car keys but failed.
The victim sustained minor injuries due to the shattered glass fragments, and the estimated losses incurred amounted to around RM200.
In fear for her safety, the victim promptly lodged a police report which led to Austin’s arrest at a construction site in Siburan on Nov 3.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Austin and the victim were former partners who had been in a relationship for 12 years.
The man’s inability to accept the breakup had led to repeated harassment of the victim, ultimately culminating in the said incident.
During the incident, Austin was under the influence of alcohol and had followed his ex-girlfriend’s car before damaging the car window.
