Slashed four tyres on Kildare ex-partners car after she ended their relationship
Woman couldn't see his face - but she was certain it was him
A woman's ex-partner slashed the four tyres on her car after she ended their relationship, she told Naas District Court.
Tomasz Stalis, 36, whose address was given as Apartment 9, The Court, Dublin Street, Kildare denied criminal damage at Kerdiff Close, Naas, on March 27, 2023.
CCTV footage of the incident which was obtained from a camera erected at the property by the landlord was shown in court. It showed a man approached a vehicle, making stabbing motions towards each of the tyres and leaving the area.
The defendant’s ex-partner said they showed the man approaching the vehicle and she recognised him as the defendant because of the way he walked, his short legs and his clothing.
Cross examined by solicitor David Powderly, the woman said she couldn't see the defendant’s face but she was 100% sure it was him.
Garda Ronan Fahy told of arresting the defendant at his address and said he was questioned.
Gda Fahy told Mr Powderly that the defendant denied the offence and said the man in footage was not him.
The garda agreed the only witness was the injured party and the defendant’s face was not visible on the footage. He said clothing which was similar to what was seen on the images was taken from the defendant’s apartment.
The defendant told the court that the man in the footage, shortly after 9pm, was not him. He said that two years previously he was charged with a similar incident and he said his ex partner had cut his tyres.
He also said he had accepted the break up of the relationship with her.
Judge John Brennan said there were other cars in the footage which the man could have gone for but didn’t.
The court heard that the defendant has 54 previous convictions, mainly for road traffic infringements and is serving a sentence from June 2024 with a release date in 2026.
Judge Brennan imposed a four months custody term to run concurrently.