A man who threw logs at the harbour master’s office window in Peel has been put on probation.

Mark Anthony Priestnal also vandalised the rear window of a Toyota Yaris parked nearby on a different occasion.

The 63-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of damaging property and was sentenced to an 18-month probation order by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police were called to the harbour master’s office on August 29 at 6.15pm.

Priestnal, who lives at Atholl Place in Peel, had been reported for trying to damage the office window using logs.

When officers arrived members of the public were trying to calm him down and he was sitting on the ground.

He was arrested and told police: ’Next time it’s murder. I will slit his throat.’

At police headquarters he was interviewed and admitted throwing logs at the office window.

Priestnal said he had been out in the afternoon at the Whitehouse pub watching the Celtic v Rangers football match, drinking lager and lime.

He said he then went to the Peveril on East Quay but was asked to leave by the designated official.

Priestnal admitted throwing the logs saying he had a dislike of the harbour master as he had seized his vehicle in the past and he was frustrated, but he knew the window wasn’t going to break.

He also admitted damaging a Toyota Yaris parked nearby on August 21.

Regarding the threatening comments he made, Priestnal said they were ’throwaway comments’ and that he would not hurt anyone.

He said that it was also the anniversary of his father’s death so he had been depressed recently and unable to sleep.

A probation report said that Priestnal had a history of mental health issues and was suffering from poor physical health.

The report recommended a period of probation as this could provide assistance.

Defence advocate Jane Gray said that her client had spent three weeks on remand and had been struggling with his health.

The High Bailiff gave Priestnal credit for his early guilty pleas, and admissions to police, and said that, if sufficient work was done with probation, the order may be discharged earlier.