Hamish Gregg Schmidt-Malzard sentenced for Palmwoods pokie attack

A luckless gambler who was fuelled by frustration when he caused more than $4k worth of damage to Sunshine Coast pokie machines has confessed to having a “problem”.

Frustrations boiled over for a luckless gambler who caused more than $4000 worth of damage to Sunshine Coast pokie machines, a court has heard.

Hamish Gregg Schmidt-Malzard was placed on a six-month probation order in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to wilfully damaging two pokie machines at the Palmwoods Hotel.

Police prosecutor Lee Allan told the court Schmidt-Malzard caused $4149.70 in damage to the hotel’s pokie machines on August 12, 2021 at 8:30pm.

Senior Constable Allan said another pub goer had won $700 on a machine Schmidt-Malzard was previously playing when he lashed out.

“ (Schmidt-Malzard) has then put more money through the same pokie machine but didn't win anything, became frustrated and hit the machine,” he said.

Constable Allan said the 22-year-old was walking out of the room when he hit another machine.

When speaking to police on November 14, 2021 Schmidt-Malzard said he was drunk at the time.

“He stated he believes he has a gambling problem involving poker machines and being intoxicated he lost his temper,” Constable Allan said.

Hamish Gregg Schmidt-Malzard was placed on a six-month probation order after he caused $4k worth of damage to two pokie machines while on a family trip to Palmwoods Hotel. Picture: Social media.

The court heard Schmidt-Malzard apologised to the hotel for his “out of character” behaviour and offered to pay for the damage.

Duty lawyer David Cruise said the carpenter was seeking a mental health plan to deal with anger management issues and asked for a fine to be imposed.

Magistrate Rod Madsen noted Schmidt-Malzard’s “frank” admissions and suggested a probation order would assist in his rehabilitation.

Mr Madsen said Schmidt-Malzard’s would also need to reimburse the business for the “significant loss”.

“It’s a lot of money and if I were to give you a fine it would be a significant fine and you might struggle to pay the fine and restitution,” he said.

Schmidt-Malzard agreed to comply with a probation order.

He was ordered to pay $4149. 70 in restitution to the Palmwoods Hotel.

A conviction was not recorded.