Michael Brain

Prosecutor Catherine Owen said: “Mrs Brain could see the defendant was under the influence of some substance.
“She tried to telephone the police but her grandson hit the phone out of her hand and exhibited threatening behaviour towards other family members – saying he was going to ‘kick their heads in’.”
Brain, of Pant Hirwaun, Aberdare, left the scene but returned a few minutes later and kicked a glass panel in Mrs Brain’s front door, causing approximately £500 worth of damage.
Miss Owen added: “He then gained entry to the house, picked up a mirror and threw it to the floor, then pulled the door off a display cabinet.”
Brain was arrested and pleaded guilty to criminal damage the following Monday – his 10th conviction for that offence.
Rhondda Magistrates Court heard Brain committed this most recent offence while still on licence from a 16-month sentence for robbery – making him liable to serve the final 125 days of the term.
Daniel Williams, defending, said: “It is no secret my client has been a habitual user of class A and B drugs since his release from prison.
“The argument with his grandmother was about money. She said she was sick of funding his habit, and refused to carry on.
“It is, perhaps, to his credit that Brain didn’t go on to commit any theft, or similar offence, to raise the funds Mrs Brain denied him.”
The court passed a 56-day prison sentence for criminal damage and ordered him to serve the rest of his robbery sentence.
Presiding magistrate Iona David said: “This was a frightening offence, aggravated by the fact that you had similar previous convictions and were subject to recall at the time.”