Ashley Robert Barry Miller pleaded guilty to public nuisance, wilful damage

After a man headed to his former family home to look for “heirlooms”, he and another man embarked on a wild night, causing chaos at Maryborough pubs.

An attempt to reclaim family heirlooms from a vacant property at Granville was just the start of a wild night for a Fraser Coast man, who soon found himself in trouble with the law.

Ashley Robert Barry Miller appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court this week, pleading guilty to wilful damage, trespass and two counts of committing public nuisance.

The court heard police were called to the home in Granville on February 6 where a ute was parked outside after hearing loud noises that sounded “something like a sledgehammer”.

The home had once belonged to Miller’s mother, the court was told, and Miller had attended the property with another man after a day of drinking.

He thought family heirlooms might still be inside the home, which was vacant and sometimes occupied by squatters.

After the incident at the home, the men then went to the Old Sydney Hotel, where both were described as being “very intoxicated” and using offensive language.

One of the men refused to provide vaccination certificate which was required to enter the venue, and staff were abused, with the incident continuing for about 50 minutes until police were called.

Police looked at the CCTV and Miller was later identified.

Ashley Robert Barry Miller appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court this week, pleading guilty to wilful damage, trespass and two counts of committing public nuisance.

The two men then made their way to the Aussie Hotel, where the bad behaviour continued.

They were “abusive towards staff”, the court heard, and one of them leant over the bar and started drinking directly from the beer tap while staff were absent.

Beer taps were also turned on and a glass door smashed.

Police were then called to a dispute between Miller and the other man, who were linked to the incidents earlier in the evening.

The court heard Miller had been under stress in the lead up to the night of offending, with his cousin undergoing heart surgeries.

Miller had previously been assaulted at a licensed premises and Miller had to seek medical treatment, the court was told.

He had struggled with alcohol abuse.

Magistrate Kurt Fowler said in Miller’s favour was that he was attending Bridges and was not resistant to assistance.

Miller was placed on probation for 12 months and he was ordered to pay restitution of $301.50 to the Aussie Hotel.