Daniel McDonnell: Lavington man drops phone down Wagga Road drain, calls police

A Lavington man, who dropped his phone down a drain, made several calls to police for help, getting into strife with Hungry Jacks.

Mr McDonnell was fined for smashing a door at Hungry Jacks. Picture: Richard Walker

A Lavington man who called the police when he dropped his phone down a drain outside Hungry Jack’s has faced court after smashing the front door of the fast food eatery.

Daniel McDonnell faced Albury Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to destroy/damage property.

Court documents reveal Mr McDonnell had been out with friends celebrating his 20th birthday, when, just after midnight on December 18, 2020, the offender dropped his phone down a drain on Wagga Rd.

Mr McDonnell then used a friend’s phone to call the police — several times — to help him retrieve the phone.

According to court documents, before police could arrive, Mr McDonnell walked to Hungry Jacks where he kicked the bottom of the entry door, smashing the glass panel.

He then ran away.

A cleaner was inside the Hungry Jack’s building at the time, and phoned the restaurant’s assistant manager.

Police were responding to Mr McDonnell’s previous calls about the phone in the drain, when they were flagged down by Hungry Jack’s staff.

Police attended Mr McDonnell’s Lavington address on March 6, 2020.

When asked about the smashed door Mr McDonnell said: “I kind of got angry then, yeah, smashed the Hungry Jack’s window.”

Mr McDonnell’s defence solicitor said his client was the father of a young daughter and worked full-time at a truck wash.

Magistrate Richard Funston said alcohol was clearly a factor in Mr McDonnell’s offending.

“Charges like this are very annoying for everybody,” Mr Funston said.

“You had far too much to drink obviously.”

Mr McDonnell was fined $400.