A Warrnambool man has received a two-year bond.
A WARRNAMBOOL man who used a key he had secretly cut to break into his ex-wife’s home to determine her relationship status has been placed on a good behaviour bond.
Andrew Flook, 51, of Merrivale Drive, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to burglary, theft and unlawful assault.
He was not convicted, placed on a two-year good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $750 to the court fund.
Police alleged Mr Flook and his wife were married for 33 years before their divorce in February this year.
On March 25 at 11am Mr Flook entered her Bayview Terrace apartment with a key he had cut without her knowledge.
He told police he entered the flat to find out what relationship she was having with another man.
On March 30 Mr Flook’s son was being picked up by his mother who was at Mr Flook’s home. She parked down the street to avoid a confrontation, but Mr Flook approached the vehicle.
Mr Flook’s former wife and the man with her in the car locked their doors and wound up their windows but Mr Flook attempted to grab and hit the man.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said he understood the distress caused by the break-up of the relationship and late last year Mr Flook’s situation was compounded by medical issues.
But he said the behaviour Mr Flook had engaged in was completely inappropriate and unacceptable and his behaviour in the scene that played out in front of his son was reprehensible.