A REVELLER caused more than £5,000 damage to a Kendal jewellery shop window by throwing a glass after he’d been ejected from a nearby pub.

Max Murdoch, 27, was told to leave the George & Dragon late on November 5 after he was angered by the presence of another person at the premises.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke told Carlisle Crown Court how an offence then occurred around midnight at the town’s Branthwaite Brow.

“In his resentment and frustration he threw a glass across the street although we don’t say this was intentional,” said Mr Burke. “There was reckless damage. It smashed the large, laminated display window of Hogarth jewellers on that street, creating what’s referred to as a ‘bullseye crack’ meaning the entire window had to be replaced.

“That involved repairs to the security system, the lighting system and window surround.”

The cost of repairing that damage was £5,054 with an insurance payout having since been made. However, the business owner was seeking recompense in relation to a £750 excess and future policy payment increases amid the loss of a no claims bonus.

Murdoch admitted criminal damage, an offence he committed in breach of — and near the end — of a previous court punishment. In 2021, Murdoch had a seven-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months in Shropshire for an offence of aggravated vehicle taking.

At the crown court today (Fri), a judge had a choice of either activating that jail term or imposing a fine for the breach.

Murdoch’s barrister, Kim Whittlestone, asked Judge Nicholas Barker not to activate the sentence. “He is a young man who appears now to be taking responsibility not only for himself but for his partner who is with him (in court) and who is expecting their child in November,” said Miss Whittlestone.

“He is aware he needs to repair the damage he created. He is more than capable and willing to do so.”

Murdoch, a skilled construction worker of Market Place, Shifnal, Shropshire, was taking the court proceedings “extremely seriously”, said his barrister. She added: “He does not drink on a regular basis at all. He apologises to the court and to the owner of the premises for what he accepts was reckless behaviour.”

After hearing submissions, Judge Barker concluded that activating the jail term would be “onerous, disproportionate and unnecessary”.

But of his offence, the judge told Murdoch: “You threw a glass in a reckless display of temper. You cost this business a lot of money because of your reckless, stupid behaviour. They should not be the worse off for it.”

Murdoch must pay £2,250 compensation and complete a 12-month community order. This comprises a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement which involves wearing a tag detecting any alcohol consumption through sweat; and 15 days’ rehabilitation work with the probation service. For the breach he was fined £250.

“I am reassured by your positive commitment to work, your current relationship and expectation of a new child. In many ways there is much to be said in a positive way,” said the judge. He added: “Max Murdoch, ensure this is the last time you come to court.”