An Isle of Wight man in a ‘bad mood’ smashed up his hostel home in a drunken rage after misplacing his phone and bus pass, a court had heard.
Terence Perkins, of Orchardleigh Road, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 2.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, said the 38-year-old arrived drunk at his hostel home at Butler Gardens in Shanklin at 2.45pm on December 6.
Ms Miller told the court a member of staff, which owns the ten-bedroom property, was outside the building with the fire service conducting a fire alarm test when Perkins arrived.
Perkins was verbally abusive and told the staff member he was going to 'smash up the place'.
Police were called, and, on arrival, officers found a broken door, a smashed fire alarm and a damaged upstairs fire door.
Ms Miller said police later asked the defendant, instead of the property owner, Southern Housing, how much the damage would cost to repair.
Michael McGoldrick, defending, said it was ‘rather ironic’ that police would ask his client but claimed Perkins tried to help police as best he could.
Mr McGoldrick told the court Perkins has since been invoiced £486 by the property landlord, and he has been handed a ‘formal warning’ by Butler Gardens.
Perkins was in a bad mood at the time of the offence, said the defence, acting out of frustration after losing his mobile phone and bus pass.
Magistrates handed Perkins an £80 fine, and he must also pay £85 in costs and a £32 surcharge.
A ten-month community order, following Perkin’s sentencing on November 10 for a prior assault and shop theft, will remain active.
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