Solicitor Simeon Miller said Peter J Gersbach, 45, of Elsham Avenue, found the home-made slingshot under his new house and decided to test it by shooting ball bearing balls at an apple on November 14.

"He didn't realise his missiles were hitting the car across the road," Mr Miller said.

Gersbach missed the apple and hit a parked car causing $1000 worth of damage by shattering two windows, which stayed in place.

When the vehicle's owner saw the holes in the windows he thought they were bullet holes and phoned police who found a two-millimetre diameter ball.

Gersbach handed the slingshot and balls into police later that day and said he damaged the car.

He was given a six-month community correction order for possession of a prohibited weapon and he was given the same sentence for damaging this windows and he was ordered to pay $1000 in compensation.