Steven Brockman: Kimberley man who damaged cars at Broome hospital handed community based order

A Kimberley man who caused more than $8000 damage to six vehicles at a Broome hospital, including cars belonging to staff working night shift, has been handed a community based order. Steven Brockman appeared before Broome Magistrate Court on March 22 charged with six counts of criminal damage or destruction of property and one count of breaching bail. The court was told the 54-year-old had been admitted into the emergency department of Broome Regional Hospital on February 7 after ambulance officers found him sleeping rough at Male Oval and presenting heart problems. Brockman alleges hospital staff were rude to him upon arrival and became “stressed”, leaving the hospital only to return four hours later. While outside the hospital, Brockman smashed the windows and mirrors of six cars belonging to the hospital, staff and patients, causing more than $8000 damage before insurance. One of the vehicles belonging to PathWest was written off after Brockman damaged it so severely. It was revealed he was intoxicated at the time of the offending and had a criminal record agitated by alcohol. Magistrate Deen Potter said Brockman’s behaviour was “pretty atrocious and disgraceful” and asked it was possible hospital staff could have a safer place to park their vehicles. The 54-year-old was previously released on bail and due to appear in court on February 18 but failed to attend, breaching his bail conditions. Brockman was handed a fine of $250 for breaching his bail and another global fine of $1000 for the damage to the cars. He was ordered to pay $6000 compensation for the damage after insurance and handed a nine month community-based order for the damage to the PathWest vehicle.