A intoxicated Portadown man smashed his ex-partner’s window in a bid to gain access after being told to leave.
The 42-year-old was handed a conditional discharge with the judge telling him: This means if this is a one off, that will be the end of the matter.”
Arturas Penkauskas, of Clounagh Park, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on October 7, police received a report of a domestic incident in the Portadown area.
The victim told police that following a verbal altercation, her ex-partner – the defendant – has smashed her door window.
She said that Penkauskas had been highly intoxicated and that he had been banging on the door to get in.
The defendant was subsequently arrested and during interview admitted to smashing the window.
Penkauskas claimed that he had been trying to gain entry to the property and the damage had been reckless rather than intentional.
Defence solicitor Philip Reid said: “At the time he had been working long hours and he has since lost his employment due to the time he spent in custody.
“He had been drinking with his brother; he came home but was asked to leave by his partner due to his intoxication.
“He was very frank during interview, he had tried to get back into the house but used too much force.
“His son fixed the damage which was caused and the relationship has since ended.”
District Judge Steven stated: “This was a domestic incident but the window was fixed and this was a plea at the first opportunity.
“It would also appear that this was reckless criminal damage as opposed to intentional.
Penkauskas was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months.
Judge Keown told the defendant: “This means if this is a one off, that will be the end of the matter”.
