Russell Craig Snow given community work after throwing trolley through window of Albany MPs’ electorate office

A man threw a shopping trolley through the window of Labor’s Albany electorate office before climbing through the broken window to write an expletive message on the COVID-19 contact register. Russell Craig Snow was sentenced in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday to community service after pleading guilty to criminal damage, possessing a prohibited weapon and two charges of unlawful trespassing. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Dave Loverock told the court Snow was walking along Middleton Loop about 2pm on Sunday, April 10, when he picked up a shopping trolley and swung it at the front window of the office, cracking the glass. He repeated the action twice more causing the glass to smash and fall into the foyer of the electorate office of Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens and Minister Alannah MacTiernan. Snow then climbed through the window and wrote “f... you” on the contact register before leaving the scene, Sgt Loverock said. Sgt Loverock said Snow was arrested the next day, telling police he threw the trolley because he “blamed the politicians” for withholding a payment. The court was also told that on April 17 , Snow jumped the fence into Albany Port and climbed into a tug boat before entering the wheelhouse. He had been drinking alcohol and was intoxicated at the time. Snow was later arrested and taken to Albany Health Campus for assessment where he was found to be in possession of a pair of hard plastic knuckledusters. Defence lawyer Sabrina Maine said Snow had mental health concerns, was unemployed and homeless but was planning to attend a residential rehabilitation facility. Ms Maine said at the time of the trolley incident, Snow was frustrated because he did not have any money for food. Speaking to the magistrate, the accused said he had damaged the office after he had been caught stealing food, describing it as an act of “stupidity”. He was fined $200 for possessing a prohibited weapon and ordered to complete 20 hours of supervised community work within six months.