WHEN a woman covered up his "firewood for sale" sign and invited strangers to take it for free, Craig Andrew Powyer took matters into his own hands and keyed the woman's car.
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Last week, Powyer, 49, of Durham Street, was before Bathurst Local Court to answer a charge of damaging property, where he was convicted and fined $500.
Powyer's solicitor Shane Cunningham entered a guilty plea on his client's behalf, handing the court a psychological report and a debt agreement outlining compensation for the damage caused.
Mr Cunningham said the police facts set out prior incidents between the two parties. He said his client had a trailer of firewood parked lawfully for sale with a phone number where people could contact him to purchase the wood.
He said the victim contacted Powyer and made a complaint, with the victim abusing him.
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"On reflection, my client thought it best if he moved the trailer," he said.
Mr Cunningham said when he went to the trailer he found his sign with his number covered up and replaced with a "firewood for free" sign, with two-thirds of the load missing.
The court heard Powyer was selling the wood as an additional source of income to support his young son.
"When he collected the trailer, the victim said words to the effect of 'that will [expletive] teach you'."
Mr Cunningham said on the day of offence his client saw the victim's car. The court heard he was going to approach her but on reflection thought not advisable and then went and damaged the vehicle.
Magistrate Kevin Hockey said he understood the accused's frustration but said the action he took was not acceptable.
"The smart thing to do would have been to call the police and then she'd be the one standing here answering the questions," he said.
Mr Hockey took into account the early plea and material before the court, convicting Powyer and placing him on a 12-month community corrections order. He was also fined $500.
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