Scott Clifford: Man smashes ex-girlfriend’s door after she contacted his new partner

A Mid-North Coast lawyer said her client’s actions were “reckless and quite stupid” after the man caused damage by continuously banging on his ex’s front door.

A Mid North Coast lawyer said her client’s actions were “reckless and quite stupid” after the man caused damage by continuously banging on his ex’s front door for about 20 minutes.

Scott Clifford, 39, pleaded guilty to a destroy property charge in Port Macquarie Local Court on August 10 after becoming violent outside his ex-girlfriend’s house.

The incident occurred on Thursday, July 28, when the local butcher attended his ex’s home on Alfred St, North Haven.

“The accused has attended the property and started banging loudly on the front door,” agreed police facts state.

“The loud banging continued for approximately 20 minutes where it sounded like the accused was trying to break in.”

Police facts reveal Clifford “caused a 400mm diameter hole in the external fibre cement sheeting next to the front door” and also damaged the unit’s access gate latch.

The documents claim the man could also be heard yelling something, however, the words couldn’t be made out.

The victim called the police, causing Clifford to flee the scene.

When police arrived, the victim “only supplied minimal details” so no charges were laid.

It wasn’t until the next day that the full details of the incident were divulged.

“At this time, police obtained a four-page statement ... claiming the accused is a heavy consumer of alcohol,” court documents reveal.

Police visited the victim again, where she confirmed he had damaged her property and was banging so loudly that “it caused her fear”.

Officers then visited Clifford’s Kendall address where he confirmed attending his ex’s unit and unintentionally causing damage.

Clifford’s lawyer, Shelley Watts, told the court the man had no reason to act the way he did, but he was apologetic and willing to pay for the damages.

“His ex-girlfriend had been making contact with his new girlfriend, and he went to the house to ask her to stop,” Ms Watts explained.

“He used the side of his fist to bang on the door, but he never intended to break-in.

“This is his first domestic violence matter before the court – it’s completely out of character for him.”

Clifford appeared before Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday, August 10.

Magistrate Georgina Darcy said Clifford should’ve known better, having been in a domestic relationship with the victim for seven years.

“I don’t care what she’d (the victim) been doing, there is absolutely no excuse for you to go around to her home at 8.30 on a Thursday night,” Ms Darcy said.

“You have to understand, if you’re banging for an extended period of time, you’re likely to cause damage.”

Clifford was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order.

An apprehended domestic violence order was also established for the victim’s protection.

Under these orders, Clifford is not allowed to assault, threaten, stalk, harass, intimidate or contact his ex-girlfriend.

He is also not allowed to harm or destroy any property or animal belonging to her, or visit any place the victim works or lives.