A Swindon father who was upset about not seeing his daughter on her birthday has been sentenced for smashing up a car with the driver inside.

Raphael Cardosa, of Theobald Street in Swindon, moved from Brazil to the UK over 20 years ago but is unable to leave the country due to a GPS tag.

Magistrates in Swindon Court on Thursday October 24, heard how the tag had left Cardosa "anxious and emotional" when he was unable to visit his daughter in Spain on his 16th birthday.

The day after her birthday, the 38-year-old intoxicated father was arrested for pounding on and smashing the windscreen of a car while the occupant sat inside.

Raphael Cardosa pleaded guilty to criminal damageRaphael Cardosa pleaded guilty to criminal damage (Image: Newsquest)

“Cardosa did the worst thing in those circumstances which is drink alcohol, which does not pair well with high emotions," said prosecutor Keith Ballinger.

“The victim had just dropped his son off in Swindon town centre on October 4, 2024, and was driving when he noticed Cardosa walking towards his car.

“The male appeared intoxicated and unsteady on his feet. He was shouting at the victim but the victim didn’t know what he was saying.

“He then began pounding on the window of his car. The windscreen smashed and the driver reversed to try and get away.

“Cardosa has five previous convictions for damage offences as well as other unrelated convictions and spent time in prison in 2022.

“But in a police interview, he said he was super drunk and doesn’t remember what he was doing on that day or why he did it."

Cardosa, who works as a forklift truck driver in Chippenham, was described by his defence lawyer Mr Williams as "an impulsive individual who doesn’t always think his actions through."

But despite an extensive criminal record, the lawyer noted how he had no similar convictions to this in the last year.

“He is not someone who enjoys getting into trouble," added Mr Williams.

“But the CCTV is clear as day and he had no reason to act in this way. He feels very shameful today."

Chair of the Magistrate’s Bench Peter Searle described the crime as a "serious matter" which had a panic-inducing effect on the victim who was sat in the car while it was being attacked.

Cardosa has now been ordered to pay £270 in compensation to the victim, as well as a £158 fine, £85 court costs and a £63 surcharge.

This leaves him with a total financial penalty of £576.

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