Paul Francis Wright in court for property damage

A retired pensioner had to be taken to hospital for treatment after hallucinating and destroying a door during a drug-induced psychosis.

Paul Francis Wright leaves Maryborough Magistrate Court on Monday, February 12, 2024

A Biggenden pensioner who smashed a pub window with a wooden statue while high on methamphetamine was fined $600 in Hervey Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Paul Francis Wright, 63, pleaded guilty to property damage.

The court heard that on January 19, at 1:45am, Wright consumed “a significant” amount of methamphetamine before picking up a wooden statue and smashing it multiple times into a glass door at the Biggenden Hotel, causing it to shatter.

He was arrested and then taken to Biggenden Hospital for treatment.

Police prosecutor Claire Bibby said Wright had no prior history and a fine was sufficient.

Describing his client’s thoughts at the time as being “scared and alone”, duty lawyer Morgan Harris said those feelings had been caused by the meth.

Paul Francis Wright leaves Maryborough Magistrate Court on Monday, February 12, 2024

The court heard Wright was a retired pensioner he had offered to pay to fix the door, but was told it was not necessary.

“The feelings he had on the night of the incident, as well as the experience of being in court, is something he does not wish to repeat,” Mr Harris said.

“It has been a real wake-up call for him.”

A letter from Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services was supplied as evidence Wright had since undergone rehabilitation.

“Your methamphetamine use on that night is why you hallucinated and underwent drug-induced psychosis,” magistrate John Milburn said.

He fined Wright $600 and recorded a conviction.

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Originally published as Paul Francis Wright in court for property damage