William Edwin Cuff-Hawthorne pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to three counts of wilful damage

It’s not often that a business gives a job to a person who smashed three of their vehicle’s windscreens, but in a bizarre twist a court has been told that was exactly what happened to a 19-year-old Roma man.

A teenager caught kicking in and smashing three car windscreens outside a local Roma shopping complex was remarkably handed a job in response to his offending.

William Edwin Cuff-Hawthorne pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to three counts of wilful and unlawful damage.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said on January 20 at 12.35am, the 19-year-old approached a Toyota HiLux parked in the Westlands Plaza carpark and jumped up on the bonnet of the vehicle, kicking the windscreen multiple times causing it to smash.

The court was told he then approached a second Toyota HiLux parked adjacent to the other vehicle and similarly jumped on the car and kicked in the windscreen.

Then Cuff-Hawthorne entered the council library carpark and destroyed another vehicle’s windscreen.

“And the same thing, he jumps on the vehicle and smashes the windscreen. He kicks it about 14 times causing it to smash, then he jumps off,” Mr Donnelly said.

On March 30 at about 10pm police spotted Cuff-Hawthorne travelling on foot along Bowen St, Roma where they arrested him.

“He said he did not recall damaging any vehicles and told police he was at a friend’s place drinking alcohol at the time,” Mr Donnelly said.

“He said he was consuming alcohol on the night as a coping mechanism.”

In a bizarre set of circumstances, the court was told Cuff-Hawthorne had entered into a civil arrangement with the victim business for the first two vehicles damaged.

They offered him a job to pay back the amount needed to repair the two utes he damaged.

Now working as a butcher’s assistant for Queensland Country Meats, they provided an employee reference to the court and have agreed to deduct 10 per cent of Cuff-Hawthorne’s wages until the damages have been paid off.

However, restitution was still sought for the third vehicle damaged in the council library carpark after the defendant was unable to get in contact with the council.

“I had a chat to him at the police station and he’s not the run-of-the-mill person who comes to court,” Mr Donnelly said.

“He’s got minimal history and no like offences.”

Defence lawyer Trevor May said his client is embarrassed of his behaviour and is remorseful.

“Something positive came out of this situation,” Mr May said.

“He was so intoxicated he can’t remember smashing the windows.

“He is attending alcohol counselling for alcohol use.

“He tried to reach out to council but couldn’t figure out a way to sort out restitution with them.”

Acting magistrate Michael Bice said the defendant was very fortunate to have had this outcome.

“You’re very lucky your current employer has taken you on, there’s some promise and obviously it’s something you’re good at,” he said.

Cuff-Hawthorne was fined $800 and ordered to pay $878.90 in restitution for the third wilful damage charge.

No conviction was recorded.