A shearer who got drunk after work and tried to smash down the door to his own house to see his daughter was pepper-sprayed by police, a court has heard.
Quintin Joseph Matthews (33), of Lawrence, had spent the day hard at work in Mosgiel and was "persuaded" by workmates to have drinks afterwards.
"The amount of alcohol he consumed was much more than he normally does," counsel David McCaskill said.
When he was dropped at home by a colleague, an argument began with his partner, which resulted in him leaving the address in his car.
He was not gone long.
But when Matthews returned, he found his partner and her mother had barricaded themselves inside.
"When the defendant couldn’t get in he started kicking the door, causing large cracks to appear and also with enough force to smash the lock on the door," a police summary said.
"The defendant also picked up a 10-litre pail of white paint, throwing this on to the porch, with a large puddle of paint settling on the porch and the weatherboards on the side of the house."
Matthews then launched a foul-mouthed rant at those inside.
"Think you can stop me from seeing my baby?" he said.
"When I smash this ... door in I’m going to smash your ... heads in and take my baby."
Police arrived at the property shortly afterwards as the defendant made a break for his car. When they stopped him leaving, he became abusive and tried to walk away. A warning for obstruction did not quell his rage.
"He then turned and fronted police with clenched fist and puffed his chest and cheeks," court documents said.
He was pepper-sprayed by officers and arrested.
A breath-test later gave a reading of 513mcg — more than twice the legal limit.
Matthews previously pleaded guilty at the Dunedin District Court to drink-driving, obstruction, intentional damage and threatening to do grievous bodily harm.
Yesterday at sentencing, Judge Rollo said a psychologist’s report showed life had been "tough" for the defendant.
"But it’s a bit like playing cards, Mr Matthews, you’ve got to play the best hand you can with the cards that are dealt to you," he said.
"You need to make amends with your whanau to make that right because you need to have a relationship with your daughter."
Matthews was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision, two months’ community detention and banned from driving for six months.
