Michael Jared Thomas Merceica pleads guilty to smashing bus windows

A man has smashed a bus’ windows and tried to stab the tyres with scissors after what he says was the denial of his ‘human rights’.

A man who pled guilty to smashing the windows of a bus after he was told not to smoke onboard said was the prosecution said was “untrue”. Picture: Contributed

A Victorian man in a moment of rage has smashed a bus window and tried to slash the tyres after what he says was the denial of his “human rights” to have a cigarette.

Michael Jared Thomas Merceica, 35, pleaded guilty to wilful damage and obstructing a police officer when he faced Bowen Magistrates Court on Monday, despite repeatedly labelling the prosecutor’s comments as “untrue”.

Prosecutor Lachlan Perry said Merceica was on a Greyhound bus he had boarded in Townsville when he began smoking on September 25.

When the bus stopped at a Bowen service station, the driver confronted Merceica about his behaviour.

Mr Perry said Merceica then “took a pair of scissors” out of his backpack and tried to stab the bus’ rear tyres.

Merceica then used “a camping chair” to damage both mirrors on the side of the bus.

The court heard when police arrived at the scene, he became “agitated” and told the constable, “You’ll have to take me or I’ll f---ing smash you”.

Merceica, who had been in custody for a week and was self-represented in court after refusing the services of a duty lawyer, told Magistrate Michelle Howard he was not allocated a seat on the bus.

He said when the bus stopped at Bowen, the driver did not allow him to smoke which he believed was a breach of his “human rights”.

He further told the court the wording of Mr Perry’s facts were “untrue” as he could not remember saying what Mr Perry quoted.

“I don’t believe I told the police officer I would f---king smash them,” he said.

Magistrate Howard asked Merceica if he really intended to plead guilty if he had doubts over accuracy to which he replied he could not recall the facts clearly.

“I believe they (the prosecution) should provide further evidence, but I plead guilty, Your Honour,” Merceica said, to which Mr Perry added the footage provided proof of the facts.

Ms Howard asked lawyer Cleo Rewald, who was present in the courtroom, to talk with Merceica and give him legal advice, which led to a short adjournment.

When the court reopened, Merceica told Ms Howard he pleaded guilty to the charges so he could take care of his “mental health”.

Magistrate Howard said she would not punish Merceica further as he had spent eight days in custody.

A conviction was not recorded.