Spirit House owner Acland Brierty comments on Colin Mark Berry court sentence

One of the owners of a ritzy Sunshine Coast restaurant has wished a man who caused more than $3m in damage and losses to his business well after he was sentenced to jail.

Colin Mark Berry (top right) pleaded guilty to destroying the inside of Spirit House during a drug-fuelled psychotic episode. But Acland Brierty, who owns the business with his brother Blake Brierty, said they bear him no ill will.

One of the owners of ritzy Yandina restaurant Spirit House says he and his brother bear no ill will to the man who caused more than $3m in damage and losses to their famous restaurant.

Colin Mark Berry was sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court on February 27 after he pleaded guilty to destroying the inside of Spirit House during a drug-fuelled psychotic episode in August, 2021.

But despite the damage forcing the business to close for several months, Acland Brierty, who owns the business with his brother Blake Brierty, said they bear no ill will towards Berry.

He said Berry’s actions “(were not) malicious” and were instead the result of drug use and a poor mental state.

Acland and Blake Brierty at the Spirit House in Yandina.

The court was told Berry, an army veteran who was discharged after developing epilepsy from a serious head injury, had endured trauma throughout his life including when his son passed away at a young age.

He was later diagnosed with Bipolar and PTSD.

“(There is) no hard feelings … we hope he gets the help he needs,” Mr Brierty said on Wednesday.

Mr Brierty’s brother Blake had come across Berry leaving the business shortly after he trashed the place and calmed him down, Mr Brierty said, adding it was clear Berry “was in a weird state” at that time.

The business’ cooking school was closed for 4.5 months while the restaurant did not open until mid-April 2022, Mr Brierty said.

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

“We were lucky insurance covered us,” he said.

He praised the efforts of the insurance company, who “made sure everything was covered” including staff wages.

He said he and his brother “didn’t know where to begin” after seeing the damage, which included destroyed ceilings, walls and equipment.

Berry was sentenced to six years behind bars, but will be eligible for parole on November 23, 2023.