Shocking footage caught the moment two brothers smashed up a woman’s home by hurling objects through her windows.
Harry and Alistair Palmer were caught on camera launching items from the front garden at the property in a UK seaside village. The disturbing footage showed the pair turn up at the home in Seasalter, Whitstable, on May 27, as Alistair, 33, banged aggressively on the door while Harry, 32, watched from the garden.
The 33-year-old was then heard loudly demanding the occupants come outside and although voices could be heard coming from inside the property, nobody answered the door during the terrifying ordeal.
The brothers then left but returned 30 minutes later while shouting, swearing, banging on the door and demanding the occupants come outside.
Alistair, who lived on the same road, could be heard shouting: “Get the f*** out of the house now. Oi, you little ****, get out here now.” The brothers then picked up objects from the garden, including a small bucket, and threw them at the windows, smashing them.
When no one appeared Harry, from Herne Bay, stole the Ring doorbell before they fled the scene. The damage inflicted on the home during the terrifying incident was around £350.
The brothers were arrested and Harry admitted criminal damage and theft. Alistair admitted criminal damage but was not charged over the stolen device. They both appeared in the dock together at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 12, where they admitted that charge.
Prosecutor Lucie Fish told magistrates: “At the time [they returned to smash the windows], the house was unoccupied. The resident was only there from time to time. They smashed the windows and then left the house.”
Footage recorded on the stolen device played in court showed the brothers swearing while causing the damage. It is understood the pair were trying to locate a previous partner of the woman who lived at the property.
During the September hearing, defence lawyer Richard Graham requested pre-sentencing reports. He revealed the property had since been burned down but said the brothers were not involved. He said: ” It was later destroyed by fire, and they were questioned over it, but it had nothing to do with them.”
Magistrates agreed with the pre-sentencing reports, and both men returned to the same court to learn their fate on Wednesday, October 22.
Harry was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 50 hours of unpaid work, £175 compensation to the homeowner and £357 in fines, court costs, and victim surcharge.
Alistair, who is said to have a brain condition, was found unsuitable for unpaid work. He was placed on an 18-month community order, including a two-week tagged curfew from 7pm to 7am, 15 rehabilitation sessions, £175 compensation and £199 in costs and victim surcharge.
