Shane Anthony Caunt: Drunken teen assault’s stranger during search for girlfriend

A court has heard how a brave North Albury woman attempted to stop a drunk teen from entering her home, as it’s revealed why he was so keen to get inside.

Shane Caunt. Picture: Facebook.

An Albury teen has assaulted a woman and damaged her property in a drunken search for his girlfriend.

Shane Anthony Caunt, 19, faced Albury Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to destroy/damage property, and common assault.

Court documents revealed on January 15, at 10.40pm, Caunt was walking on Yarramba Cres in North Albury when he approached the victim’s home, believing his girlfriend was inside.

The female victim, who lived alone, was in her bedroom when she heard loud yelling and banging from the front of the house.

The victim looked out the window to see Caunt, who was not known to her, and walked outside.

“I’m looking for my girlfriend, I know she’s in there,” Caunt said.

The victim told Caunt there was no one else in her house, and asked him to leave.

She noticed a lattice screen attached to her house had been damaged and pulled from its mounted position.

At this point, Caunt tried to push past the victim and enter her house.

The victim grabbed Caunt, who is of small stature, and pulled him back, telling him once again that no one was in her house.

The accused then became aggressive, walking straight at the victim, who pushed him back.

Caunt then grabbed both of the victim’s wrists.

A witness ran over to help the victim and restrained the accused on the ground until police arrived.

When police arrived they observed Caunt to be highly agitated and under the influence of an illicit substance.

Caunt’s defence solicitor said the accused had recently become a father and had stopped drinking.

Caunt’s partner supported him in court.

Magistrate Richard Funston said alcohol seemed to have fuelled Caunt’s behaviour.

“For some people alcohol just doesn‘t suit them,” Mr Funston said.

“And I think you might be one of those people.”

Mr Funston fined Caunt $500 on both matters.