A MAN who damaged a ceramic bowl, photo frame, pot plant and internal wall following an argument over a relationship has been told he is old enough to know better.
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Christopher Kirby, 23, of Rosemont Avenue in Kelso, appeared in person and unrepresented before magistrate Peter Feather, charged with destroying or damaging property.
Asked by Mr Feather why he did it, Kirby replied: "I'm not sure."
And asked if the wall had been repaired, Kirby told the court: "It will be."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Police facts tendered to the court told how Kirby destroyed the ceramic bowl, clothesline, pot plant and photo frame and an inside wall at around 3pm on September 5, 2019.
According to the police facts, the accused and victim were at a family gathering earlier in the day and, after having a few alcoholic drinks, the accused started to question the victim regarding a potential relationship, which caused an argument.
During the argument, the accused said "that's it, we're over" and left the location, according to the police facts.
Later, at about 3pm, the accused again questioned the victim in relation to speaking to a cousin and where she had been.
This caused a verbal argument and led to the accused smashing a number of household items belonging to the victim.
A witness called the police and, when officers arrived, they advised the victim they were wearing body-worn video and observed that she was shaking and crying, according to the police facts.
She said when she returned home, the accused questioned her about what she had been doing and then started to smash up the house.
"He broke my vases, he broke the clothes horse, he's chucked all the food in the kitchen and he's made a big hole in my wall and chucked my lounge," she told police, according to the police facts.
Police placed the accused under arrest and, while being handcuffed, he became defensive, according to the police facts, saying to police: "No way, you're not arresting me. I haven't done that."
The accused was asked what he had broken and he said he had broken the bowl in the kitchen.
Police asked what else he had broken and he said he had fallen over the lounge and hit the wall, putting a hole in it.
He denied breaking anything else.
In sentencing, Mr Feather took into account Kirby's early plea of guilt and the fact he'd never been in court before. But Mr Feather told him if he had a problem with alcohol or anger management, he needed to get help.
"If you keep offending, you'll go to jail," he said.
"Make sure it's the first and last time I see you in court."
Kirby was convicted and fined $700.