By JOLENE OGLE
A LOCAL mum is calling for the gatecrashers who damaged a car at her daughter’s 17th birthday party to come forward and foot the repair bill.
Leanne Spence’s daughter was celebrating her birthday at their Sunrise Beach home on Saturday when their family boat and trailer was pushed down the street into a neighbour’s car causing severe damage to the radiator and engine of the vehicle.
Ms Spence said she believed the culprits could be any of the gatecrashers turned away from the party.
“Everything was going really well at the party. A lot of people turned up uninvited and were turned away,” she said.
“But, unfortunately, because it rained, we were unable to sit outside and watch the property. Instead, we went out every 10 minutes, checking to make sure people weren’t in the street annoying the neighbours.”
Ms Spence said the six-metre boat was facing the home before the incident around 11pm, so at least three people would have had to lift and turn the trailer before pushing it down the hill toward an intersection.
“In one way, it’s lucky it hit the car because if it hadn’t stopped there, the boat could have run into the homes at the intersection and it could have killed someone,” she said.
Ms Spence said the damage to the car had greatly inconvenienced the owners of the car who will now be without the vehicle for two weeks while it is repaired.
Ms Spence has also offered to pay the excess for the repairs, but is calling for anyone with information about the incident to come forward as she believes those responsible for the damage should cop the repair bill.
“There is an excess that has to be paid,” she said.
“I would love to find out who is responsible and I would like them to cough up.”
Ms Spence said parents needed to “take some responsibility for what their children are doing”.
“If they know they’re wandering the streets and there’s a party on, they need to find out if they’re invited and not,” she said.
It was a frustrating ending to her daughter’s party, as Ms Spence did “everything right” by registering the party with the police and having six adults as supervision.
Noosa Heads Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Steve McReight said it was unfortunate for an incident like this to happen, especially when a parent had done all they could to prepare.
“But it is important to always have strategies in place,” he said.
“Imagine what could have happened if there was no security at the party.”
Sen Sgt McReight said, for extra piece of mind, booking a function room can help remove the risk of property damage to homes and neighbours property.
“With the end-of-year party season on the way, parents can get prepared with our Party Safe pack,” he said.
Visit www.police.qld.gov.au/party for the Police Party Safe checklist and tips.
