A Dundee man with multiple convictions walked into police headquarters and smashed the window of an unmarked squad car.
Sam Goddard, 28, committed the crime on Wednesday because he wanted to be convicted of breaching bail and sent to prison.
Goddard is currently in a dispute with the city council and is upset about living in a flat at Ancrum Court with anti-social neighbours.
He walked to the front desk of the Bell Street station and told officers he had just put in a “random” window, unaware the glass he had smashed was part of an unmarked police vehicle.
At Dundee Sheriff Court last week, after pleading to be sent to jail, Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon refused, telling irate Goddard the court was not there to sort his housing problems.
Smashing plan
Depute fiscal Emma Farmer told the court: “At around 6.10pm (on April 26) the accused was seen acting suspiciously at Bell Street police station.
“A loud smash was heard and Goddard was then spotted walking away from the car, an unmarked police vehicle, which was parked outside the police station.
“The accused indicated he had smashed the window and he had wanted to smash a random car to breach his bail conditions.”
Solicitor Jane Caird, in mitigation for Goddard, said: “He has had extreme difficulty with his tenancy.
“He has been told he cannot be moved and cannot go to a homeless shelter, as he would have deliberately made himself homeless.
“He has committed a crime to get a jail sentence.
“He has been advised he can present himself as homeless after being released from jail.
“I accept this is not a good reason for committing this offence.
“He does have a record of offending and has served a previous prison sentence.
“It is not the type of offence which would carry a prison sentence but he is asking you to do this.
“He has been on the housing list for some time.
“There is anti-social behaviour on his floor.”
Court won’t deal with housing problems
In March last year, Goddard was placed on curfew for spitting on a train conductor after refusing to pay for a ticket.
Deferring sentence and releasing Goddard on bail, Sheriff O’Hanlon said: “It is not appropriate to jail someone so they can have their housing problem sorted out.
“This is not a matter for the court to deal with.”
Goddard, who appeared from custody, will return to court for sentencing on May 25.
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