A HORSHAM man who went on a "rampage" with a steel bolt and smashed a police vehicle was "lucky" to dodge jail, a magistrate says.
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Mathew Bowen Millward, 21, appeared in Horsham Magistrates' Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
Millward went to the Horsham Police Station at 2.10am on December 10 with a 40-centimetre steel bolt, the court heard on Monday.
Millward then started hitting a police vehicle with the bolt, chipping two windows on the passenger side.
He then broke two windows on the police station, before returning to the police car and smashing the passenger side cargo window.
Police inside the station heard the windows smashing and arrested Millward.
The windows at the station cost $458 to replace and the vehicle cost $1375 to be repaired.
Defence lawyer Simon Torpy said Millward had been drinking at the time of the incident.
"He had received news that he was meant to have an operation when he was younger, but it hadn't been done and he went into an extended period of madness. Police had nothing to do with it," he said.
Mr Torpy said Millward had taken the bolt from home and "gone on a rampage with it". He said his actions were not directed at police.
Millward was assessed and approved for a community corrections order, and reappeared at court on Wednesday for sentencing.
Mr Torpy said Millward should be placed on an order without conviction.
Magistrate Peter Dunn said Millward would receive a conviction.
"He is extremely lucky that he isn't going to prison. My initial reaction on Monday was to send you to prison. This was an outrageous attack on police property," he said.
"I have heard that he has no animosity towards authority or police. It still remains a mystery to me as to why he's done this."
Mr Dunn suggested Millward seek help for his mental health and his alcohol consumption.
"Consuming half a bottle of spirits leads me to suggest you don't know what you're capable of when you're drinking, so maybe you shouldn't drink," he said.
He said Millward could face challenges applying for a visa to travel overseas in the future.
"He will need to disclose this attack on public and police property. There could be a likelihood that his travel to other countries could be restricted," he said.
Millward was placed on a community corrections order for 18 months.
He will have to complete 300 hours of community service and be on good behaviour.
He will also be made to pay restitution of $1833 for the damage he caused.
He will have to pay $200 each month until it's paid.
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