Horsham man jailed for multiple criminal damage incidents

Brent Pilmore, 40, pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and using a carrier service to make a threat at the Horsham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, December 16.

The court was told that about 1.30pm on November 6, 2020, Pilmore entered Uniting Wimmera's Baillie Street office and asked a staff member at the front desk if he could speak to a manager regarding crisis accommodation.

After the staff member told Pilmore the manager was unavailable, Pilmore became agitated and began yelling abuse at the staff member.

At 1.45pm police arrived at the office after Pilmore refused to leave the premises.

The police officers asked Pilmore to leave, and as he was walking out of the premises, he kicked out a glass panel at the front door.

READ MORE:

He was subsequently arrested and taken to Horsham police station, where he was interviewed and bailed.

On Saturday, February 17, 2021, Pilmore was observed yelling at the driver of a Toyota Hilux stopped at the intersection of Firebrace Street and Roberts Avenue.

The court heard Pilmore stood on the footpath and asked the driver, "why are you driving a deadly weapon around?"

As the man drove away, Pilmore kicked the car's rear, causing $1164 in damage.

Police located Pilmore on Firebrace Street, and he was taken to the Wimmera Base Hospital to receive treatment.

At 2.35pm on May 6, 2021, a Grampians Community Health service worker reported talking to Pilmore on the phone regarding services.

The service worker said Pilmore appeared agitated and verbally aggressive.

During the conversation, Pilmore told the worker he was prepared to kill a police officer if he saw one and planned to "blow up" a police station.

Following the report from the service worker, police attended Pilmore's address and arrested him. He told police he did not mean to make a threat over the phone.

Defence lawyer Adrian Paull told Magistrate Ronald Saines of the mental health hardships faced by Pilmore and the lack of support available to him when out in the community.

Mr Saines imposed a sentence of seven months imprisonment, with 200 days recognised as already being served.

He was also ordered to pay $649 in restitution for the damage to the glass panel.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Did you know you can receive updates straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up here.