Colin Mark Berry sentenced over destroying Spirit House

New details on what triggered an army veteran and registered nurse to destroy a ritzy Sunshine Coast restaurant and cause millions in damage has been revealed in court.

Colin Mark Berry leaving the Maroochydore Court House. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

A 45-year-old Nambour man’s idea to break into a ritzy Sunshine Coast restaurant was sparked after he was denied a cup of water by the staff a few weeks earlier, a court has been told.

Maroochydore District Court was told Colin Mark Berry broke into Yandina’s Spirit House restaurant through a rooftop air vent on August 30, 2021, and went on a “frenzy of destruction” which destroyed a toilet block and then the business’ cooking school.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks said Berry had knocked walls down, destroyed computers, ripped toilets from walls, destroyed ceilings, smashed glasses and plates, used fire extinguishers and poured oil across numerous surfaces in his path.

Spirit House has had their kitchen "totally destroyed" forcing the restaurant to close until October.

In total, he caused $3,025,412 worth of damage and losses, she said.

Berry was found the next morning by one of the owners after he was alerted to the disturbance. He was found in his underwear, a work shirt, boots and was bleeding from the head, the court was told.

The owner managed to calm Berry down before the second owner arrived and told Berry to leave, escalating the situation.

He was arrested and returned a positive drug test for amphetamine, meth and a stimulant pharmaceutical for depression.

The court was told Berry had been living out of his car at the time and was in the middle of a drug-fuelled psychotic episode.

Lush rainforest gardens at entrance to Spirit House restaurant at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast. Picture Lachie Millard

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said his client had a drug addiction at the time of the offences, but after spending a short time in custody had turned himself around.

Berry had been diagnosed with PTSD and Bipolar disorder, the court was told.

Mr Dixon said Berry’s idea to break into Spirit House came after he was denied a drink of water by staff at the restaurant during a manic episode weeks earlier.

“It all ties into the way he was thinking on the evening, that the common man was oppressed and he was leading the revolution,” he said.

The act had sparked resentment in Berry, the court was told, who planned on breaking in to steal some items.

Mr Dixon told the court Berry, who was an army veteran, was discharged in 2003 after a serious head injury caused him to develop epilepsy. Berry then began a career as a nurse in palliative and aged care.

In 2014, his son, who had Cerebral Palsy and other conditions, passed away, the court was told.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Berry pleaded guilty to two charges of breaking and entering a premises and wilful damage.

He was sentenced to six years behind bars, with a parole eligibility date of November 23, 2023.

The 95 days he spent in presentence custody was declared time served.