A caravan park tenant who was angry about not being able to check-out of his accommodation at 9.47pm on a Thursday night has been convicted of property damage after he took his frustration out on the park's security cameras and sensor lights.
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Western Sydney man, Stephen Finnie, 38, of Maple Road in North St Marys, had been staying at Colour City Caravan Park for around a week prior to the incident. Then on the night of October 15 he had wanted to leave.
According to court documents submitted by police, when Finnie had gone to the caravan park office shortly before 10pm and found it closed he had grown frustrated.
"The accused has become increasingly agitated outside the office whilst he was on a phone call to the caravan park's after-hours number," police said.
"[Finnie] then approached three security cameras and two exterior lights... [and] has made a gesture with his middle finger before pull[ing] the security camera down out of its fixed position."
He then damaged the two other CCTV cameras attached as well as two external lights.
On the same night, Orange Police Station received a report about a "man yelling on the roof of the caravan park office".
However, when officers attended shortly afterwards, they were unable to locate the accused.
Orange City Council - who owns Colour City Caravan Park - estimated that the cost of repairs was $1500.
On March 30 when Finnie attended Blacktown Police Station, he was questioned over the October incident and admitted to the damage, telling police he was "angry and wanting to check-out of the caravan park".
The Sydney man was unable to appear in Orange Local Court in June when the matter was first listed due to the city's lockdown.
On Monday, when Finnie's case again came up, he was convicted in absence - despite him still being subject to the Sydney lockdown. This was due to the fact he made no contact with the court.
Magistrate David Day convicted Finnie for intentionally or recklessly damaging property and fined him $550.
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