A man deliberately drove through a fence on a Dereel property while he was drunk in an act of revenge, but targeted the wrong property by mistake, a court has heard.
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Travis Miller, 46, admitted to criminal damage and drink driving at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Friday and said he paid the owner for the damage within 10 days.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jack Fletcher said it was almost 11pm on May 16, 2020 when Miller decided to drive through two sections of post and rail fence at the property of someone he had a 'personal grievance' with.
The court heard Miller became stuck in the second section of fence and he realised he had targeted the wrong property when the owner walked over.
It made me realise I must be more of a role model for all of my children
- Travis Miller
Senior Constable Fletcher said Miller blew 0.087 and his licence was cancelled for six months.
Miller made full admissions to police, including about his intentions to target the neighbour.
Representing himself at court, Miller said he was going through a difficult period as his wife had died and he became a single father to six children.
"I don't know what was going on in my mind," he said.
"It made me realise I must be more of a role model for all of my children."
"Whether you got the right or the wrong place, the offence is the same," Magistrate Ron Saines said.
"It is even worse it is an innocent person who had nothing to do with you."
Mr Saines said he gave Miller some leniency in sentencing given his plea of guilty and his prompt payment for the damage.
"But for those matters I would have disqualified you from driving for six months for using a motor vehicle to commit a crime and would have given a heavier punishment," he said.
Miller was convicted and fined $400.
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