A man has avoided a criminal conviction after damaging a vehicle in response to a physical and verbal argument.
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Riley Dean Parsons Sheehan, 20, of Goulburn, pleaded guilty to destroy or damage property.
Goulburn Local Court heard on August 12 that in May 2020 Sheehan got into a physical and verbal argument at a friend's house which involved multiple parties. One member of the group returned home to "calm down". The court heard that Sheehan then went to the house and damaged his vehicle. The driver's side rear view mirror was broken off and the offside quarter panel kicked in before a second physical altercation occurred.
Solicitor Titterten said her client had no criminal history and this incident was "out of character".
She said Sheehan had "taken matters into his own hands" after a friend was assaulted. She said his friend had received a black eye among other injuries during the first altercation.
Solicitor Titterten urged the Magistrate to take Sheehan's dislocated shoulder, gained as a result of his actions, into account. She said he was unable to work due to the injury and would require extensive physiotherapy.
She said Sheehan was willing to repay the cost of the damage but was not currently in a financial position to do so.
Police prosecutor Enderuick said there was no charge before the court or evidence that Sheehan's friend had been assaulted. He said Sheehan's injuries did not qualify as extra-curial punishment.
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie took Sheehan's early guilty plea and co-operation with police into account. The Magistrate said she "accepted it was a time of heightened emotion" but the damage was a "bad choice".
The Magistrate didn't record a criminal conviction under Section 10. She ordered Sheehan to pay back $2861.81 worth of damage.
Magistrate Beattie said "every time you make a payment you'll think about how you could've handled it differently".
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