A Poole man has been given a six-month community order and a £780 fine after pleading guilty to two charges of causing criminal damage.
Bournemouth Magistrate’s Court heard that Michael Mason-Haffenden, 23, of Good Road, had caused £2917.05 damage by throwing stones at the windows of John Lewis and Comet shops in Branksome.
Defence solicitor Mr Price argued that the defendant had been “extremely drunk” when the incident took place, and that he had only joined in after a 15 year-old friend, who was not named by the court, had begun throwing the stones.
Mason-Haffenden will wear an electronic tag for four months under the terms of the order, during which time he must remain at home between the hours of 8pm and 6am.
District Judge House took Mason-Haffenden’s guilty plea into account during sentencing, although he also noted the “substantial damages” that the defendant’s actions had caused.
Mason-Haffenden, who is on Jobseeker’s Allowance, will pay £180 to Comet and £600 to John Lewis in compensation over the next three years, at a rate of £260 a year.
Whilst this represents a lower total than that of the damage caused, Judge House pointed out that the court only imposed fines that people could reasonably be expected to pay.
