A man who attempted to use a machete to force his way into the property where his ex-girlfriend was staying and who slashed the tyres and smashed the windscreen of a car, has been sentenced to jail.
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Chief Justice Helen Murrell sentenced Peter Blundell, 35, to a total of 10 months imprisonment. With time already served and part of the sentence suspended he will leave jail at the end of May.
Blundell appeared at the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday with an oversized grey bomber jacket shrouding his tall frame, and winked at two supporters in the courtroom.
The court has heard that early on the morning of March 17, 2015, weeks after leaving court on "conditional liberty" following similar offences, Blundell went to a property where his ex-girlfriend was staying with her partner and demanded to be let in.
Blundell left the property after he was refused entry, but not before slashing tires and smashing the windscreen of a car. He returned about 7am and again demanded entry, this time holding a machete and using it to bang on the door.
The court heard Blundell had an extremely disadvantaged childhood.
He entered foster care at the age of seven, and was exposed to violence. He lived for a while on the streets, and he had served jail time in NSW and the ACT.
He continued to battle drug addiction after he was exposed to alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs at a very young age, the court heard.
His criminal behaviour flowed from addictions and other mental health conditions, Chief Justice Murrell said. He had earlier pleaded guilty to both offences, though Chief Justice Murrell said he showed little insight into his crimes.
Blundell will leave custody at the end of May to serve the rest of his sentence suspended. Chief Justice Murrell placed him on a 12-month good behaviour order and ordered him to undertake a drug rehabilitation program.
