Jhiel James Pepene: 21yo causes $9k damage to Bribie Island Hotel
A Bellara man who “couldn’t handle his grog’’ has been hauled before a court for wilful damage at a popular watering hole north of Brisbane.
Moreton
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A magistrate has chastised a Bellara man for his “bad attitude” in court after he caused more than $8000 in damages at a popular hotel while out on the grog.
Jhiel James Pepene, 21, pleaded guilty in the Caboolture Magistrates Court to one count of wilful damage after a night out at the Bribie Island Hotel went awry.
The court heard on May 15 last year Pepene became “rowdy” with another group of men in the pokies area at the Bellara venue.
Police prosecutor Sgt Peter Mitchelson told the court Pepene was stopped from buying more alcohol as he appeared drunk.
“He became argumentative with the manager. She then took a drink from him and she tipped it out,” he said.
“He was then told to leave.
“He became angry … he then jumped (up) and grabbed a large umbrella that covered a table and that snapped.
“That collapsed the umbrella and the arm actually broke. He went to another one and did the same thing.”
The court also heard Pepene co-operated with police when they arrived.
“He has no relevant history in regards to this sort of thing, he hasn’t done this before,” Sgt Mitchelson said.
The damage bill was $8779.
Magistrate Jim Blanch asked Pepene if there was anything he wished to say.
The 21-year-old, who appeared unrepresented, began to tell the court he had done his own research with regards to quotes to fix the damage.
Mr Blanch interrupted, saying “don’t even say what you’re going to say.”
“You’re either accepting this or we go to a contested sentence.”
Pepene replied that he accepted the facts.
He was fined $750 and ordered to pay $8779.10 in compensation.
A conviction was not recorded.
“If you can’t handle your grog, don’t drink,” Mr Blanch told Pepene.
As Pepene left the courtroom Mr Blanch warned him over his “attitude”.
“Don’t shake your head either, you’ve got an attitude sir,’’ he said.
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