1 day Ago By Albury Court
A woman who had long broken-up with her partner of seven years was shocked when he let himself into her home just after midnight. or signup to continue reading Albury Local Court has heard how Mark Ward came in through the laundry door before making his way upstairs to the woman's bedroom. Ward, who was clearly intoxicated, sat on the floor and attempted to have a conversation with the victim during the incident on July 13, 2024.
But she was having none of it, instead immediately ordering him to leave. When he eventually left, he did so via the laundry into the backyard, then turned around and kicked the door. For that, Ward, 30, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, September 18, to a domestic violence-related charge of intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage property.
Defence lawyer Estelle Narouz told magistrate Sally McLaughlin her client had been drinking alcohol leading up to the incident. "I accept his criminal history does not assist him." Ms Narouz said Ward would benefit from a continuation of intervention programs tackling his substance abuse issues.
She said Ward would shortly attend an appointment with Gateway Health in Wangaratta focusing on drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Ms McLaughlin pointed out how the offence took place in the early hours of the morning, and that the victim did not want Ward in her home. "This is a significant example of a damage property," she said.
"You have a history that disentitles you to leniency." Police told the court the couple's relationship ended about 12 months ago, and that they no longer lived together. After she told Ward to leave her room, she stood up - it was about 12.
20am - and made her way downstairs. Ward followed, then made a failed attempt to grab her phone out of her hand. Once she got to the kitchen, the woman managed to call police.
This prompted Ward to flee the unit, kicking the door once he got outside. The court was told police arrived about 12.30am and on heading inside heard someone jumping a fence into the backyard.
The woman looked through an open door and told police it was Ward, who they confronted in the laundry doorway. He tried to claim the damage to the door was pre-existing, but then conceded repairs appeared to have been done. "The accused asked police if he could go upstairs, believing he left his cigarettes in the bedroom.
" Ward then told them he had been drinking at a friend's home the previous night. Ward was convicted and fined $800 and placed on a supervised, seven-month community corrections order, which will require him to undertake drug and alcohol rehabilitation. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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