A man escaped criminal conviction yesterday after pleading guilty to wilful damage.

Jacal Minors, 22, of St. George's, admitted causing $60 damage to two tents at Clearwater Beach on July 31.

Brett Webber, Crown Counsel, told Magistrates' Court Minors set up his tent near the playground area but then started arguing with his girlfriend. He began to pull up two nearby tents belonging to complainant Chante Thompson, and scattered her personal belongings around the site.

Minors, a Department of Marine and Ports employee, described the incident as a "mishap". He told the court: "I turned around to kick my tent but it was her tent. I have paid her for the property damage – the lady who made that complaint has received her money."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: "You went down there and maliciously damaged someone's property. It is a criminal offence, they called the Police and that is why you are here."

Minors replied: "I am sorry for my actions. I've learned my lesson. I was upset."

Warning him of the repercussions of a criminal record, Mr. Warner gave Minors an absolute discharge. "In the circumstances, absolute discharge. No conviction will be recorded," said Mr. Warner.