Electrician tells victim “he hoped they die”

A court has been told a prominent local businessman told the subject of an AVO against him…they were a “waste of space” and he hoped they died.

Shannon Matthew Stokes pleaded guilty to breaching the conditions of the order and to drug driving when fronting Batemans Bay Local Court.

The 50-year-old owner of Bay Coast Electrical had previously been convicted of several drug driving charges over the past year and making threats.

This time he’s been fined a total of $1700, given a further driving ban and placed on a two year Community Corrections Order.

Judge Doug Dick told Stokes he was now also banned from going to any place the victim may live or work until the matter is subject to a hearing next month.