- Disability pensioner smashes up ATM and sets it on fire when he can’t get money
- Ivan Edwards, 73, had just discharged himself from hospital and was delerious
- He attacked an ANZ bank ATM with a crow bar, before setting it alight
- Edwards has apologised for the crime, saying it was a ‘stupid thing to do’
A 73-year-old disability pensioner has avoided a jail sentence after he destroyed an ATM, attacking it with a crowbar before setting it on fire.
Ivan Edwards, from the Melbourne suburb of Geelong, apologised for the crime saying it was a ‘stupid thing to do’.
Edwards told police he was angry with ANZ bank after he was unable to take out his pension over Easter, according to 9News.
Pensioner Ivan Edwards (pictured) set an ANZ bank ATM on fire after hitting it with a crowbar
He had just discharged himself from hospital and was suffering delerium on March 28 when he smashed an ANZ cash machine with a crowbar, and then came back with a can of petrol and set it alight.
Edwards told the court he ‘broke down completely’ and ‘lost it’, causing nearly $200,000 worth of damage.
He was arrested two days after the attack and pleaded guilty to arson.
County Court judge Frances Hogan said Edwards’ existence was ‘sad and lonely’, and sentenced him to a three-year community order instead of prison.
Edwards’ lawyer Michael Brugman said it was a ‘very sad case’ as Edwards’ wife of 26 years had died and he was now ‘pretty much on his own with his dog’.
Edwards will be unable to leave Victoria for three years and will have to undergo mental health assessments.
Edwards left the ATM completely ablaze, causing nearly $200,000 worth of damage
Edwards apologised after the incident, saying it was a ‘stupid thing to do’