Hefty fine

47-year-old demolished radar box out of frustration

Judge Alexander Wehinger allowed the defendant to pay the fine in installments.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/chantal dorn)

The man from Unterland was sentenced to a hefty fine at Feldkirch Regional Court for serious damage to property.

It was the beginning of February when the accused was stopped by the police on his bike in Lochau. The reason for this was the cyclist's riding style. It quickly becomes clear that the man is drunk as a skunk. This is also confirmed by the alcohol test carried out. The reading was a whopping 2.34 per mille. The 47-year-old is fined.

The radar box had to believe it
But instead of pushing his bike, the frustrated man gets back on his bike as soon as the law enforcement officers have left. Near the OMV petrol station, a radar box is finally hit. Out of anger at the fine he has just received, the accused hits the metal box several times with a stone. However, a witness observes the incident and reports it. Based on the description of the perpetrator, the officers quickly remember the man with the winter cap and a long brown coat - and so it is not long before the man is picked up again at the nearby petrol station.

During the trial, the stone-thrower claimed not to remember the crime due to his alcohol level at the time. The witness was different, stating that he did not see the accused's face due to the distance. "But he was wearing a winter cap and a long brown coat at the time." The witness also remembers the bicycle well.

He got on and off. After two meters, he fell off the bike again.

Der Zeuge

Guilty verdict for the accused
There is no question for the witness that the accused must have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs due to his driving style. "He got on and off the bike. After two meters he fell off the bike again." Since the burden of proof is overwhelming, the defendant at least considers it possible that he damaged the radar box. The trial ends with a guilty verdict for the man from Unterland and a fine of 7500 euros. He must pay the state police department 640 euros for the damaged radar box within two weeks. The verdict is not yet final.