Albany man fined $4k after smashing vehicles at SES depot while volunteers conduct rescue

A 20-year-old man has been fined $4000 after smashing vehicles in a drunken rage at the Albany State Emergency Service headquarters.

Stephen William Marshall smashed the windscreen of an SES incident control vehicle and the wing mirrors of two private vehicles at the Sanford Road depot on January 24, while volunteers were rescuing a rock climber near The Gap.

In March, Marshall appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to four criminal damage charges after a damage spree which he said was sparked by a family argument.

Marshall was given an opportunity to address his alcohol issues by participating in the voluntary Alcohol and Other Drug Diversion Program.

Last Thursday, he reappeared in court for an update on his progress.

Magistrate Dianne Scaddan fined him $4000 for the criminal damage charges.

The vandalism spree started after Marshall left InSwing Sports Bar, where he had been drinking to celebrate his birthday.

After leaving the venue, Marshall approached an excavator being used for skate park construction and damaged it with a rock, the prosecution said.

He then approached the Albany SES depot, where he punched the driver’s-side mirror of a white Toyota Prado, then punched the wing mirror of another private four-wheel-drive vehicle.

He used ratchet straps to smash the window of the SES incident control vehicle before leaving.

The vehicles were parked at the depot while volunteers were rescuing a 25-year-old Perth rock climber who had fallen 7m near Cave Point Lighthouse.

Marshall returned to the SES depot days later and gave the organisation $1200 cash as compensation and an apology letter.

Defence lawyer Wendy Stewart asked the court to consider a spent conviction after her client had done well on the diversion program.

She described his crimes as “spur-of-the-moment”.

Ms Scaddan said the young man’s “selfish” actions caused substantial damage.

“If the incident control vehicle was needed, it was out of operation,” she said.

“Given it happened in late January, it was not unreasonable to be used for a bushfire.”

Ms Scaddan accepted Marshall had gained insight into his offending after four sessions with the drug and alcohol program.

She granted him a spent conviction on the basis he had “learnt his lesson”.