Reece Dylan Hancock fined $1500 after throwing rocks at former partner’s car and abusing police officers

A Baldivis man has been fined after pleading guilty to throwing rocks at his former partner’s car and abusing police officers.

Reece Dylan Hancock, 22, appeared before Rockingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 1, pleading guilty to one count of criminal damage, disorderly behaviour in public and obstructing public officers.

Prosecutor Sgt Scott Andrews told the court Hancock and his former partner became involved in a verbal argument at 11.40am on December 13, 2022.

The victim had gone to Hancock’s Baldivis home to retrieve some of her belongings.

Hancock brought some items outside to the victim before an argument ensued between the pair.

The victim believed there was more of her property inside the house, which caused the argument to escalate.

Hancock took the victim’s car keys from inside the vehicle.

He then threw stones at the victim’s car, smashing the passenger window and damaging the side door.

Police were called to the property and Hancock became verbally abusive when they arrived.

While being placed under arrest he pushed officers with his legs and continued to argue.

Hancock was taken to Rockingham police station, where he continued to direct abuse and obscene language towards police.

This went on for about two hours, despite being asked to stop several times.

He was later taken to the Perth Watch House.

Duty counsel Stacey Byrne said the facts were “accepted”.

Ms Byrne said when Hancock had taken items out to the victim’s car, she told him there were more items inside the house. The argument began when he said there wasn’t.

“(Hancock) has started to make payments for the damages to the car and is remorseful for his actions,” Ms Byrne said.

“He got upset that he was the one being arrested despite telling the victim that there were no items left inside the property, however accepts that he made the officer’s job more difficult.”

Magistrate Linda Keane told Hancock she was almost giving him life advice.

“It seems to me that you could both learn to deal with each other in a better way,” she said.

“You need to learn to deal with things in a better.”

Hancock was fined $1500 and was ordered to pay court costs of $137.