A man who admitted defacing a cell at the Hamilton Police Station was this morning sent to Mental Health Court.

Denton Santucci, 38, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing wilful damage to the cell in an incident on October 9.

Magistrates’ Court heard that at around 12.20pm that day, officers received a report about a man with a dog standing in Blackwatch Pass obstructing traffic. When they arrived at the scene they found Santucci, shouting and cursing incoherently at passing vehicles.

The officers spoke to him, but Santucci did not appear to understand them and his answers made little sense. He was taken to Hamilton Police Station, where he continued to be uncooperative and belligerent.

Santucci was placed into a cell and given food, however officers later discovered that he had smeared the food, as well as faeces, on the floor and walls of the cell.

He was subsequently charged with causing wilful damage, and professional cleaners were hired to clean the cell.

Defence counsel Peter Farge told the court that Santucci suffers from mental issues, and Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo referred the mater to the Mental Health Court.

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