A man who caused more than £5,000 damage to a jewellery shop window by throwing a glass after he had been ejected from a pub has been ordered to wear a booze ban tag for the next 90 days.
Max Murdoch, 27, was told to leave the George & Dragon in Kendal late on November 5 after he was angered by the presence of another person at the premises.
But at around midnight Murdoch hurled a glass across the street in what Carlisle Crown Court heard was his resentment and frustration.
This caused a bullseye crack in the large, laminated display window of nearby H Hogarth Jewellers which meant the entire window had to be replaced at a cost of £5,054.
Murdoch admitted criminal damage, an offence he committed in breach — and near the end — of a previous court punishment. In 2021, he had a seven-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months in his native Shropshire for an offence of aggravated vehicle taking.
At the crown court today, Murdoch’s barrister said he was a skilled construction worker who was now taking responsibility for a partner who was pregnant with their child, and viewed the court proceedings extremely seriously.
“He apologises to the court and to the owner of the premises for what he accepts was reckless behaviour,” said Kim Whittlestone, mitigating.
Judge Nicholas Barker ordered Murdoch to pay £2,250 compensation and complete a 12-month community order.
This comprises a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement which involves wearing a tag detecting any alcohol consumption through sweat; and 15 days’ rehabilitation work with the probation service. For the court order breach he was fined £250.
“You threw a glass in a reckless display of temper. You cost this business a lot of money because of your reckless, stupid behaviour,” said Judge Barker. “Ensure this is the last time you come to court.”
