School vandal fined for ‘mindless stupidity’
A man who vandalised a secondary school in Blenheim had previously destroyed two primary school gardens.
Sean Michael Spence, 22, was one of two men who caused $3890 worth of damage at the Marlborough Girls’ College last October.
Judge Anthony Walsh said at Spence’s sentencing at the Blenheim District Court he had no convictions since 2013.
That was when he and an accomplice destroyed gardens at Mayfield Primary School and Whitney Street School, pulling up vegetables and smashing pumpkins on the ground.
In his latest attack on a school, Spence and his flatmate, Mitchell James Roberts, 23, visited the college after an evening of drinking alcohol and a session of cannabis.
They kicked in an air conditioning unit, flipped a picnic table, smashed a door and threw a chair through a window, a police summary said.
It coincided with a prank by Marlborough Boys’ College students from across town, who pelted the girls’ college with eggs and cling wrap as revenge for an attack on their college earlier that month.
School staff initially thought the damage was done by students, sending home about 30 senior students from the boys’ college.
But a meeting between the school, the boys and their parents revealed the damage was carried out by vandals not from the school.
When spoken to by police, Spence and Roberts disputed how much damage they were each responsible for.
They could not explain their motives, saying they were very drunk at the time, and expressed shame and embarrassment, the summary said.
Spence and Roberts, both of Blenheim, admitted wilful damage and unlawfully entering an enclosed yard and were to be sentenced on Monday.
Lawyer John Holdaway said Spence was already paying off fines at $20 a week and could not pay much more than that.
Spence had been dealing with depression and drug issues, but was now actively looking for work.
‘‘You must be held to account for your behaviour,’’ Judge Walsh said.
‘‘The damage at the college was serious. It was mindless stupidity ... and it undoubtedly had effects on the students and staff of the school.’’
Spence was convicted and ordered to pay $1945 in reparation at $20 a week. He was sentenced to three months’ community detention, 150 hours’ community work, and 12 months’ supervision.
Roberts’ lawyer Bryony Millar said her client had previously missed probation appointments due to illness and the reports ordered at his last appearance could not be finished.
Judge Anthony Walsh remanded Roberts on bail until April 9.