Court hears of rampage while drunk

A MAN kicked signs outside of a city convenience store and then used one to attack a passer-by in a drunken state, a court has heard.

Michael Friday pleaded guilty to public nuisance, fraud, receiving tainted property and failing to appear when his case was mentioned in the Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Kellie Mythen told the court Friday knocked down three signs outside of the Nightowl convenience store in Flinders St about 7pm on July 6.

“He then approached a member of the public and appears to yell at them aggressively,” she told the court.

“The defendant then picks up a sign, raises it in the air and charges towards a member of the public.

“The member of the public attempts to defend himself but the defendant continues strike him with the sign.” Police were later called. Ms Mythen said the man was also charged for taking a bank card from the wallet of a man and using it to buy items from the Nightowl store on May 25.

She told the court the total bill was $43.19.

Ms Mythen described the public nuisance as the more serious offence.

Defence lawyer Kevin Amantea said his client had had an issue with alcohol for a number of years.

The court heard Friday had lifestyle of homelessness, a to alcohol and drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour.

“He does accept that he does have an alcohol problem and it has been a constant battle over the years,” Mr Amantea said.

He described the offending as “opportunistic” in nature and the crimes were not preplanned.

The court heard the man appeared in court in June for wilful damage and was placed on probation.

For the fraud and receiving tainted property charges Magistrate Cathy Wadley said there would be no further punishment as they pre-dated his June court hearing. For public nuisance and the failure to appear he was sentenced to three months’ prison, taking into account the 17 days already served. The man was paroled immediately.

He was also fined $200 for failing to appear. Convictions were recorded.

THE DEFENDANT THEN PICKS UP A SIGN, RAISES IT IN THE AIR AND CHARGES TOWARDS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC KELLIE MYTHEN