Riley Wells, of Meillan Close, pleaded guilty in Maitland Local Court yesterday to maliciously destroying property and remaining in the vicinity of a licensed premises after being directed to leave.

Court documents said Wells and ­another man went to the Shortland Hotel, approached the licensee about 8.30pm and claimed they had won money on the TAB.

The licensee made several checks and found the TAB tickets were not valid and told the men he would not pay them the money.

Wells began swearing at the licensee and refused to leave.

After security escorted him out, Wells began walking around the outside of the hotel banging his hands on the windows and continued to swear at the licensee.

Wells started kicking the front window and smashed it with his foot.

Police arrived and arrested Wells then took him to Waratah police station.

Magistrate Sharron Crews said drinking alcohol was not an excuse for Wells’ behaviour.

“You say you wouldn’t have behaved that way if you were not drinking, but we hear that kind of thing all day,” she said.

“The fact is you made the decision to drink to excess.”

Wells was placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months for destroying property and fined $200 for not leaving the licensed premises when told.

He was also resentenced on previous charges because he did complete drug and alcohol counselling or volunteer work.

Wells was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.