MAN CHUCKED TV IN ROW OVER RENT

Set thrown out of window after pal failed to pay

DRUNKEN Gregory Hulse threw a friend’s television out of a window after his mate failed to pay his rent.

The 27-year-old allowed the man to live with him but he failed to pay for his room.

They agreed the arrears could be paid in instalments but his friend failed to meet those payments.

Hulse lost his cool and threw the man’s television out of an upstairs window causing £199.99 damage.

Now Hulse has been handed a six-month conditional discharge at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Prosecutor Emma Thompson said the victim was living with Hulse but the defendant texted him on October 21 telling him to come home as he was going to damage property if he was not paid £200.

Miss Thompson said: “The friend returned home to see Hulse shouting and saw him throw his television out of the top window.”

Hulse was arrested and taken to the Northern Area Custody Facility in Etruria.

Miss Thompson said: “He damaged a tracksuit he had been given by the police. He was given another suit and he also damaged that. He was verbally abusive.”

In his police interview Hulse said there had been a falling out about unpaid rent. He said he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and lost his temper to an unacceptable level.

Hulse, of Liverpool Road, Stoke, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage.

Peter Howland, mitigating, said the injured party had lived at the address but he breached the agreement and owed £250 in rent arrears.

Mr Howland said: “Hulse challenged him and agreed he would accept instalments of £70 but he had reneged.

“Hulse became annoyed. He goes out to work six or seven days a week to make ends meet. He felt badly let down by the complainant.

“He accepts he lost his temper and threw the TV out of the window. He accepts he was intoxicated and he was abusive when he went to the police station.”

Magistrates ordered Hulse to pay £199.99 compensation, £70 costs and a £26 surcharge.