Damian Holmes has been jailed over a number of offences spanning two years

A man has been jailed after he threatened to cut a dog’s throat after he observed it sniffing a home where he was serving a home detention sentence.

Damian Holmes was jailed for a range of offences including threatening to stab a dog who was walking along Seacliff Beach with its owner.

A man who threatened to stab a barking dog near a popular southern beach and damaged a homeless shelter has been jailed.

Damian Holmes, 41, was sentenced for several offences in the Christies Beach Magistrate Court earlier this month, including a number of assaults and property damage.

The most serious offence relates to May 2, 2021. The victim was walking his dog past a property on Kauri Parade at Seacliff when Holmes made a startling threat.

“The accused was at a property on that road, he made a comment about the victim’s dog as the dog stopped to sniff the fence when the accused said ‘if your dog stops to sniff me again I’ll cut its throat’”, the prosecutor said.

Seacliff Beach. Pic: File

“The victim said something to the effect of take it easy or I’ll have to call the cops.”

Holmes moved towards the victim “angrily” making further comments before hitting him in the forearm.

When interviewed by police, Holmes said he was serving a term of home detention at the property but declined to answer any further questions.

“While the assault itself did not result in any injuries … members of the public deserve to go about their business without being assaulted,” said the prosecutor.

The court also heard on Monday, June 25, this year, Holmes caused $4,145 worth of damage to the glass doors of the Hutt Street centre by throwing a metal grate three times.

Holmes also caused more than $2000 in damage to two of the centre’s cars by breaking mirrors and scratching the vehicles.

“The victim told police she had arrived at the centre, observed the main glass doors were smashed,” said the prosecutor.

“She observed the CCTV and was able to identify the accused from that.”

Gerry Bowen, defence counsel for Holmes submitted to the court that “drug induced psychosis was a feature of his life”.

“Without the drugs and the influences from the outside, he finds himself able to think clearly and realise the senseless property damage achieves nothing,” Mr Bowen said.

Magistrate Natalie Browne submitted many victims were “left in the wake” of Holmes’ offending and that his behaviour would not be tolerated.

Holmes was sentenced to a total of 19 months and three days in prison with a non parole period of nine months, backdated to August 25 of this year.

Compensation was also sought for the Hutt Street Centre.