James Harry Micallef pleads guilty to smashing window at Club Wyndham Airlie Beach

A boat skipper has faced court after a ‘fit of rage’ at a luxury Whitsunday resort.

A Whitsunday fishing charter boat skipper has fronted court for an angry outburst in response to an allegation of sexual abuse in his family.

James Harry Micallef, will pay more than $1000 in fines and restitution after he smashed a window at a luxury Airlie Beach resort in a “fit of rage” prompted by a conversation with a close family member.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard Micallef attended Club Wyndham resort to see his relative about 1am on Monday, October 4, became upset during a discussion with other people in the room, then went downstairs to a carpark area and used his elbow to smash a window on a fire door.

When police attended he admitted he was “compelled by a fit of rage” because of what happened in the hotel room.

James Harry Micallef pleaded guilty to wilful damage. Picture: Facebook

In court this week he said he was “severely” intoxicated at the time and “didn’t handle anything well”.

“My [relative] told me [they were] sexually assaulted by [another] family member – [they] wouldn’t tell me the name,” he said.

He added it was “pretty disappointing” his relative chose to tell him about the alleged assault when he was in such a state.

Club Wyndham, Airlie Beach.

Magistrate James Morton acknowledged it must have been difficult information to hear but said there were better ways to handle “bad news”.

“I understand your grievance but that’s not the way to sort it out,” Mr Morton said.

“If that was your window would you have done it? The answer’s no.”

Mr Morton sentenced Micallef to pay a $450 fine plus $599.28 restitution, with a conviction recorded.

The restitution must be paid within two weeks.