Judge tells Northampton man to ‘control his temper’ after punching holes in ex partner’s wall

A Northampton man has been placed on conditional discharge from prison after “losing his temper” with his former partner and causing criminal damage to her wall.

Stefan-Alexandru Mladin, aged 27, of Windsor Crescent, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, November 1 after pleading guilty to causing criminal damage. The court heard that Mladin contacted his former partner on April 14 this year to tell her that he was coming to her address. Despite her telling Mladin not to come, he subsequently went to her property.

Serena Varatharajah, prosecuting, said that Mladin’s former partner arrived at her home to find the defendant on her bed intoxicated. Ms Varatharajah said an “incident” took place between Mladin and his former partner, which led to the defendant becoming “angry” and punching holes in her wall. This resulted in the victim leaving her house and the police being called.

The court heard that Mladin has since apologised for the damage and filled in the holes, despite initially denying to police that he caused them and giving a no comment interview.

Mladin has one previous conviction of driving with excess alcohol in 2018.

Ms Varatharajah described the criminal damage as “reckless in nature” and told the court that the crown has put in an application for a restraining order. The victim, however, contacted the court in September to say that she does not support this application.

The prosecution barrister said: “She thought about it a lot and her therapist said she needs to speak to him to get closure. The crown, however, says the restraining order is still necessary to protect the victim.” Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking KC replied: “Why? What is your evidence to support this?” Ms Varatharajah said: “I submit that it was a violent offence in a domestic setting.” Mladin, who was sitting in the dock, began to smirk and laugh quietly. Judge Lucking rebuked the defendant immediately. “I don’t think it’s funny, even if you do,” she snapped, “just keep quiet please.”

Judge Lucking continued: “[The victim] has expressed a reason why she does not want it and, at the end of the day, the onus is on him to behave and I am required to take her views into account. It is not appropriate.”

Colin Charvill, in mitigation, said: “The maximum sentence for this offence is three months and the defendant was unfortunate to spend 76 days remanded in custody. He has served more than the maximum sentence.”

The court heard that Mladin pleaded guilty to the offence and he is currently working at a warehouse. Mr Charvill said Mladin is living with his uncle and there have been no problems with accommodation, drugs or debt.

Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking KC, addressing Mladin, said: “Just understand that, if you are going to lose your temper in a domestic setting, you put yourself at risk of spending time in prison.”

Judge Lucking said it was not appropriate to inflict further punishment in this case as Mladin has already served more than the maximum custodial sentence for his offence. Mladin was placed on conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £340 in prosecution costs.