Damage in cells admitted

GUILTY: Brian Hart, of Hastings, has admitted damaging two cell-door windows. PHOTO/FILE

A Hastings man, believed to be the country's worst drink-driver, has been back in court, this time for damaging two holding cells while in custody.

Brian Mitchell Hart, 59, told police he did it because he wanted to go home to his kitten.

He pleaded guilty to two wilful damage charges in the Napier District Court yesterday, admitting he damaged cell-door windows while in custody at the Napier Police Station and at the court on June 28 and June 29 respectively.

By the middle of last year Hart had notched up 20 convictions for drink-driving, 11 for driving while disqualified and had been sent to prison 33 times.

He represented himself in court yesterday and was ordered by Judge Tony Adeane to pay reparation of $570 to police for the damage to the station cell door and $250 to the Justice Department for the damage to the door in the holding cells at the Napier Courthouse.

The police summary of facts said Hart was in police custody in the early afternoon on June 28 when he became agitated and abusive towards staff and other prisoners in the cell block at the station.

Shortly afterwards staff found the door window of his cell had been damaged.

He admitted to police he had caused the damage, saying: "Yes, I did it because I don't want to be here. I'm angry and I want to go home to my kitten."

The following day, after appearing before a Justice of the Peace on an unrelated matter, Hart had again become agitated and broke the window of a cell door at the courthouse. He declined to offer an explanation on that occasion.

In court yesterday Judge Adeane asked Hart if he was currently undertaking community work.

"I am indeed, Mr Adeane," he told the judge.

Judge Adeane said the the community work sentence was "going like a train" after he was told by the Probation Service Hart had served 20 hours.

He remanded Hart in custody for a repayment assessment to be undertaken.