Ryan Joseph Cotcher pleaded guilty to unlawfully damaging property

The young swimming instructor turned up to his partner’s home in the early hours of the morning after an argument because he was “cold”, but became enraged when she wouldn’t let him in.

Ryan Joseph Cotcher, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawfully damaging property and other offences when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

A young swimming instructor who turned up at his partner’s home in the early hours after an argument, peering through doors and windows before smashing a chair, has faced court.

Ryan Joseph Cotcher, 24, pleaded guilty to unlawfully damaging property and other offences when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the offences were committed on April 1, 2025, at Tiaro.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sonia Edwards said about 3am, Cotcher had been at his partner’s home when they became involved in an argument.

She asked him to leave, but about 5am he returned, loitering at the property for about half an hour, and peering through windows and doorways, including her bedroom, Sgt Edwards said.

The woman refused to engage with him, the court heard and, realising she wasn't going to let him in, Cotcher started yelling out to her and he tried to open the front sliding door.

The door was locked, so Cotcher kicked and banged on the door, Sgt Edwards said, before he kicked and smashed a plastic chair on the patio, causing it to disintegrate.

He then used a weighted steel dumbbell to damage the front pedestrian gate at the property, Sgt Edwards said.

His actions had caused the woman considerable anxiety.

Police found Cotcher in front of Tiaro Police Station later that day, asleep and affected by alcohol, Sgt Edwards said.

Ryan Joseph Cotcher, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawfully damaging property and other offences when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He told police the woman “brought up some stuff” that happened last year and he’d returned to her home because he was “cold”, but became angry when she wouldn’t let him in.

Sgt Edwards said it appeared Cotcher was in the process of relocating to New South Wales.

Cotcher had no prior criminal history, Sgt Edwards said.

The court heard Cotcher had been a contributing member of the community, including being employed as a swimming instructor and previously being a lifeguard.

Cotcher had been diagnosed with ADHD, the court heard, and had not been warned mixing his medication with alcohol could have negative outcomes.

Being taken to the watch-house had been particularly stressful for him as it was a place he’d never been before in his life, the court was told.

The court heard he described curling up in a ball and crying, the court heard, and he felt genuine remorse.

Magistrate John Milburn said Cotcher had acted disrespectfully and did not respect the woman’s personal space.

He said a letter from the woman to the court described his actions as out of character, adding that Cotcher had been under an “incredible amount of stress”.

Cotcher was fined $1000 and no convictions were recorded.

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Originally published as Ryan Joseph Cotcher pleaded guilty to unlawfully damaging property