A WARRNAMBOOL man who smashed a window and wrestled with a man to confront him over a $250 debt has been fined $600 in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court.
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Robert Gladman, 23, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and unlawful assault on June 18, 2013.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Nathan Brown said the victim of the assault was asleep when he was woken by the sound of breaking glass.
The victim yelled at Gladman and the two wrestled before the victim and another person pushed Gladman away.
The victim was not injured in the assault, Leading Senior Constable Nathan Brown said.
Amanda Chambers, for Gladman, said her client had been drinking on the night of the incident and wanted to get back the money he had lent the victim.
When the victim had not opened the door, Gladman had broken a window.
Ms Chambers said there had been no further incidents between the two men since the assault and both had gone their separate ways.
She said Gladman was a long-time patient of psychiatric services.
The incident was a result of a lapse of judgment when Gladman was affected by alcohol and he was very aware his behaviour was unacceptable, Ms Chambers said.
Magistrate Ron Saines said he hoped Gladman had learnt it was unwise to lend money to people outside of his “nearest and dearest”.
Gladman might have been legitimately upset but dealing with the problem while he was affected by alcohol was the wrong decision, Mr Saines said.
He said he was pleased to hear Gladman had made progress with his treatment.
In imposing penalty, Mr Saines said he took into account the assault was a minor one and that Gladman had pleaded guilty at an early date.
