Mark Junior Harden assaults Logan roommates over subletting scheme

A subletting scheme by a Logan man ended with him violently evicting the tenants with the help of a crowbar and almost crashing their car, a court has heard.

Mark Junior Harden leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

A Loganlea man’s scheme to unlawfully sublet his rental home to two tenants came crashing down when the housemates refused to leave, sparking him to evict them while armed with a crowbar, a court has heard.

Mark Junior Harden, 28, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on January 23 to assault occasioning bodily harm, enter dwelling, wilful damage and unlawful use of a vehicle.

Harden’s defence lawyer told the court his client was unlawfully subletting a rental house in Loganlea to two tenants.

Early last year Harden asked the tenants politely, through texts, emails and over the phone, to vacate the premises.

As he had no legal standing to get them removed, the court was told, his tenants refused to leave.

They continued to host loud parties, which resulted in complaints from the owner.

The court heard that on February 17, Harden banged on the door of the property while holding a crowbar and then slammed the door with his shoulder.

He entered the building and punched the victim in the back while they were on the ground, causing several scratches and bruises.

Harden then picked up the victim’s iPhone and threw it out into the street and destroyed an ornament belonging to them.

While outside, he opened the tenant’s car and released the handbrake, allowing it to roll down hill.

The tenant jumped into the passenger seat and put the handbrake back on.

Magistrate Terry Duroux said Harden had no prior criminal history, a very good education and good employment.

“The offending is odd. It didn’t make a lot of sense, you had no permission to sublease,” Mr Duroux said.

“You are old enough to know better.”

Harden was fined $2400 and ordered to pay $1020 restitution to the victim. No conviction was recorded.