Kildare man receives nine month sentence for smashing girlfriend's dad's car
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who smashed up his then girlfriend’s dad’s car, causing €4,000 worth of damage had his present sentence extended by nine months last week (27 October).
Anthony Hinton (39) with an address given at Ardrew Heights, Athy, but who appeared in the district court from custody where he is serving a nine-month sentence for a separate conviction of criminal damage.
Mr Hinton pleaded guilty to this offence in Ardrew Heights on 8 July 2022 “The car belonged to the father of the woman he was in a relationship with,” explained Sergeant Ruth Coleman.
“He took a paving slab and damaged every window and panel on the car,” she explained.
“€4,000 damage? Is that all?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“The paving stone?” “He took it from the drive,” said Sgt Coleman.
“Like a cobble?” asked the judge, to which the sergeant said: “Yes.” The court was told Mr Hinton has 22 previous convictions, including four for criminal damage, three for threats to kill, and “is presently serving nine months (for criminal damage from Naas District Court in July)”.
Defending barrister Hugo Mills said: “My client was under the influence of drink and drugs at the time and was particularly unstable … his memory of the incident is quite hazy.
“Thankfully he is no longer under the influence and hasn’t had a drink in the last three years.” Mr Mills confirmed his client’s present sentence was handed down from Naas District Court on 28 July.
“This was a very early plea, and yet this is the first time it’s on my list. Why has it taken four years to reach me?” asked the judge, before just waving his hand, and finishing up.
“That doesn’t take from the allegation, and the facts will speak for themselves,” he decided.
“He had a row, and he took it out on a BMW,” he noted, before sentencing Mr Hinton to a nine-month sentence, and ruled it be consecutive.
