WA Builder Fined After Bizarre Supermarket Clash Involving Provolone Cheese
A prominent Western Australian builder has been fined $1200 for throwing a wheel of provolone cheese at a supermarket owner during a heated confrontation over a parking dispute. Paulo Silvestro, 62, the managing director of the well-known building company Home Group, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful damage and disorderly conduct at the Stirling IGA supermarket in March last year.
Parking Dispute Escalates into Physical Altercation
The court heard that the incident stemmed from a parking spot disagreement weeks earlier. Silvestro's wife had parked in the shopping centre carpark while unloading boxes to an adjacent apartment. She reported being confronted by the supermarket owners, who allegedly told her to "f*** off" and threatened to tow her vehicle if she did not move it immediately.
At the time, Silvestro was on a business trip in Shanghai, but upon his return, he decided to address the issue directly. Accompanied by his friend Marco D’Agostino, 40, who also pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, Silvestro went to the supermarket to challenge the owners.
Violent Confrontation Unfolds Inside Supermarket
The confrontation quickly turned physical. D’Agostino approached a 75-year-old man who was stocking shelves and confronted him. When the man's son intervened, standing protectively in front of his father, D’Agostino shoved the younger man, causing him to fall over a counter of strawberries.
Silvestro then escalated the situation by slapping the 75-year-old in the face, knocking his glasses off and stepping on the frames, destroying them. He further pushed the elderly man in the chest before throwing a roll of provolone cheese at him, marking the bizarre climax of the altercation.
Court Delivers Verdict and Fines
Magistrate Adam Hills-Wright presided over the case, noting that Silvestro "went in heavy so to speak" and was "clearly very angry" during the incident. The magistrate granted Silvestro a spent conviction but imposed a $1200 fine for his actions.
In addressing D’Agostino, Magistrate Hills-Wright stated that both men were "the agitators" in the confrontation. D’Agostino received a spent conviction as well and was fined $900 for his role in the disorderly conduct.
This case highlights how minor disputes can rapidly escalate into serious legal matters, resulting in financial penalties and criminal records for those involved.
