Herston man Declan McClenaghan in court for entering dwelling, damaging police property

A Brisbane man who snuck into a sharehouse and poured shampoo over a person’s bedroom has now been charged with choking, suffocation a court has heard.

Declan John McClenaghan, 22, fronted the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, November 7, 2022.

“Bad blood” between a Brisbane man and another person drove him to sneak into their home and pour shampoo over their bedroom, a court has heard.

Declan John McClenaghan, 22, fronted the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, November 7, and pleaded guilty to a number of offences including wilful damage, entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, and driving when not permitted.

The Herston man also stands charged with a count each of assault occasioning bodily harm (DV offence), choking or suffocation in a domestic relationship, and obstructing a police officer – all of which were mentioned in court on Monday but not finalised.

McClenaghan’s most serious offence dealt with on Monday was that of entering a dwelling with intent, which took place on June 3 this year at a boarding house he used to live at.

The court heard he entered the dwelling through a window and poured shampoo over the bedroom of a person he ostensibly had “bad blood” with.

The wilful damage charge related to him damaging a police vehicle earlier in the year, on May 3, while he was being transported to hospital for a “test result”.

The driving offence occurred in circumstances where McClenaghan drove when he was not permitted to, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Hamish Farr explained his client suffered an unhappy upbringing after his parents separated and he was forced, largely, to fend for himself.

He said the young man was exposed to drugs when he was just 12 and had struggled with addiction in the years since.

McClenaghan was said to be looking into engaging with a rehabilitation program.

Magistrate Julian Noud commended him for taking steps toward addressing his drug problems, which he said likely explained much of his criminal history.

He noted McClenaghan’s offending on June 3 was not the result of “professional planning” but it surely caused some “irritation to others”.

Taking into consideration the Herston man’s young age, his criminal history, and his prospects for rehabilitation, Mr Noud imposed a 12-month probation order during which McClenaghan must partake in counselling and abstain from reoffending, and adhere to a number of other conditions.

The 22-year-old was also ordered to pay $500 compensation to the Queensland Police Service, fined $350, and disqualified from driving for two years. Convictions were recorded.