A MAN shot ball bearings from a slingshot smashing windows, magistrates heard.
Samuel Howell admitted the offence of having a slingshot under his control, with intent to use it to cause damage, when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (September 15).
Owen Beale, prosecuting, said a member of the public saw Howell with a slingshot firing stones and ball bearings at an empty building, breaking windows.
He said the eyewitness also felt the 50-year-old was behaving in a way that was potentially a risk to passers-by in the incident that took place at midday on July 25 this year.
Police found Howell outside the Salvation Army in Trinity Street picking up ball bearings in the street, and with ball bearings in his pocket, before he was arrested.
"He would not be interviewed by the police, he would not engage with police," Mr Beale added.
Magistrates heard there was no complainant in the offence - the windows being smashed at a vacant building in Worcester.
Judith Kenney, defending, said Howell had bought the catapult that morning and when he took it out to look at all, the ball bearings fell out.
"He had no thought of doing that (shooting ball bearings) - it was simply because the ball bearings fell out," Mrs Kenney said.
She said Howell was struggling with his mental health and had been homeless since Christmas.
The court heard Howell, who had a previous address of the Fownes Hotel, was getting a variety of support for his issues and a support worker was also helping him find accommodation.
Chris Mitchell, chairman of the magistrates bench, said they were giving Howell a six-month conditional discharge, explaining if he committed another offence in that period he would be sentenced for both offences.
Howell was also told to pay £26 victim surcharge.
Howell asked for this amount to be deducted from his benefits, which was agreed by the magistrates.
The chairman added he should take advantage of the support he had in place.
"We want to help you, we don't want to impede that (the support)," the chairman added.
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