By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A JILTED man drunkenly wielded an axe and smashed up a Hampton Park property where his ex-partner was staying early on Monday to “vent his frustrations“, a court was told.
Matthew Paul Grant, 42, pleaded guilty in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court that day to causing about $2050 damage when he chopped into the home’s letterbox, porch fridge and front door as well as his ex-partner’s van side-mirror.
Grant was also accused of swinging the axe at the ex-partner as she tried to block him from the front door.
He later denied that allegation to police.
The ex-partner’s face was bruised when Grant pushed her to the face, First Constable Davison said.
Police prosecutor Davison said Grant was holding the axe behind his back when police approached him in the street outside the property.
The police armed themselves before Grant dropped the weapon.
The accused told police afterwards he brandished the axe “so I had something to smash stuff with”, First Const Davison said.
Grant’s lawyer told the court the accused, who suffered 20 years of undiagnosed depression, had drunk six stubbies and 10 cans of full-strength beer prior to the attack.
“He went over there to vent his frustrations not to assault her,” the lawyer said.
A “very sorry” Grant had no prior convictions, and worked full-time as a truck driver, the lawyer said.
Magistrate Lou Hill retorted: “And he drinks a lot of alcohol?”
Mr Hill ordered Grant to undergo an assessment for a community-based order.
