Graffiti campaign targeting ex-partner ends in community sentence
Gareth Ball was sentenced to seven months' community corrections for spray-painting intimidating messages on two women's homes and workplaces.
Gareth Ball, 31, was sentenced after a long campaign of intimidation using graffiti. Ball pleaded guilty to two counts of intimidation and five counts of spray-painting a building without consent.
The offending began after Ball's former partner ended their relationship. On September 25, 2026, Ball used white paint to write 'Pay your debt junkie' on his ex-partner's Glenroy home.
He returned four more times over weeks. He spray-painted 'Junkie' and 'Junkie works here' at both women's workplaces in Albury.
Security footage captured him at the residence at 3.45am. He told police he wanted to 'make them suffer'.
Judge Sally McLaughlin said the offences were serious domestic violence. They would have been 'highly distressing' for the victims.
Ball was sentenced to a community corrections order.
- 31 years old
- Defendant age
- Seven months community corrections
- Sentence length
- September 25, 2026, Glenroy home
- First attack
Why it mattersIntimidation campaigns are serious crimes. The sentence reinforces protections for victims of harassment after separation.
AustraliaThe case demonstrates how Australian courts treat sustained intimidation and harassment as domestic violence requiring custodial conditions.
