Raymond Edwards: I shouldn't have pushed that Tesla – but if I saw one on fire I'd LAUGH: 'Are you fed up' baby boomer's incredible EV rant after video of him and his wife scratching luxury cars stuns Australia
A baby boomer who was caught on camera tinkering with a Tesla in a shopping center car park with his wife has blamed motorists for their behavior on the road, saying: 'I'm fed up'.
Raymond Edwards, 70, told Daily Mail Australia that he and his wife Barbara's actions at the Brookside Shopping Center in Brisbane's north last October were “completely out of line”.
Standing outside his home, Mr Edwards said he and Barbara had let frustration get the better of them after they were 'cut off' and almost forced into a utility pole by a white Tesla and a white BMW about half a mile from the shops .
The couple then tried to retaliate, but were caught by Tesla's sentinel mode, which captures threats on video. They were also seen tinkering with the BMW.
Mr Edwards admitted keying the cars was wrong before launching a tirade about the behavior of motorists, also stating he would never own an electric vehicle and would 'stand there and clap' if he ever had one would see Tesla on fire along the road.
“I regret our actions, but the point is that civility has been thrown out the window and stupidity has been thrown in,” Edwards said.
Raymond Edwards, 70, (pictured), a baby boomer caught on camera tinkering with a Tesla in a shopping center parking lot with his wife, blames drivers for the way they behave on the road
Mr Edwards, a motorsport enthusiast, told Daily Mail Australia that he and his wife Barbara's actions at the Brookside Shopping Center in Brisbane's north last October were “out of character”.
Mr Edwards admitted he let his frustration get the better of him after being 'cut off' by a white Tesla and a white BMW. The couple then tried to get revenge at the mall but were caught by the Tesla's sentinel mode, which records threats (pictured)
Mr. Edwards has since invested in a dashboard camera so that he has evidence for authorities to present the next time he and Barbara are run off the road.
'I constantly see people driving irresponsibly and you see the police in the area doing nothing.'
Mr Edwards, who says he has never had a criminal conviction, said he could count on one hand the number of driving offenses he has been guilty of in more than 50 years of driving.
“Whoever teaches these people to drive should take a good look at themselves,” he said.
Last week the couple were convicted after they were caught on camera keeping an eye on the luxury vehicles.
Mr Edwards was ordered to pay $2,443.61 in compensation for damage caused to the Tesla and the BMW, while Ms Edwards was ordered to pay the remaining $897.25 for repair work to the Tesla.
Mr Edwards, pictured driving Tesla, has since invested in a dashboard camera so he has evidence he can present to authorities the next time he and his wife Barbara are run off the road
Mr Edwards, who says he has never had a criminal conviction, said that in more than 50 years of driving he could count on one hand the number of driving offenses he has been guilty of
As they left the court, the couple was protected with umbrellas by their family and friends in an attempt to escape the photo.
“It cost me almost $5,000. “I plan to pay $50 every two weeks until it pays off,” he says.
Mr Edwards claims he suffered a heart attack in recent months and his wife remains 'in poor health'
He said the couple had been vilified and harassed by the public online in the months since the incident.
“A rock was thrown at our house, it bounced off the railing but could have smashed through a window,” he said.
Mr Edwards also claims the pair were wrongly given life bans at Brookside Shopping Centre.
Mr Edwards says he is a high-performance car enthusiast, often posing with racing vehicles and attending Supercars events such as the Bathurst 1000.
Mr Edwards' (middle) wife Barbara (pictured left) shielded her face with a face mask as the couple left court in December
The couple were protected with umbrellas by their family and friends in an attempt to avoid being photographed
“Keyboard warriors have made all kinds of accusations – one said we keyed in a Ford Mustang, which is insane – I support blue (Ford) all the way.”
However, there's one car Edwards says he doesn't plan on getting behind the wheel of anytime soon: an electric car.
“Electric cars – I would never buy one, not that I could afford one,” he said.
“I would love to see a Tesla on fire on the side of the road.
“I got out and stood there and clapped.”
Brookside Shopping Center has been asked for comment.