Man had smashing time in underpants

A MAN who caused up to Stg£75,000 damage to city centre shops dressed in only his underpants yesterday appeared in court.

Andrew Roxberry, 30, earlier admitted 23 charges of criminal damage.

He was caught on CCTV in February smashing more than 40 windows in Cardiff city centre. Roxberry, of Bryn-y-Nant in Cardiff, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday and remained silent throughout the hearing, refusing to confirm his name.

Roxberry threw a bottle at a window of Phones4U, and then he attacked shops including Boots, Etam, Marks & Spencer, BHS and Gap.

Yesterday, the court was told that he has so far refused to speak to solicitors. Judge William Gaskell said Roxberry was not helping himself by his behaviour. The judge said that he believed the defendant was deliberately mute.

The case was adjourned until April 4 for a psychiatric report and Roxberry was remanded in custody.

Roxberry has a criminal record of 217 previous offences and has refused to speak throughout his arrest, police interviews and court appearances.

Cardiff Crown Court heard earlier how, dressed only in a pair of underpants, he first smashed two windows at the Phones4U store. “Having gained the appetite for breaking windows, he picked up a shovel used by workmen and went on to smash 43 windows in total at a further 22 shops,” said Tony Trigg, prosecuting.

Defending him, Peter Davies said: “I met him earlier today but I have not heard so much as a syllable from him even though I was with him for half an hour.” Judge William Gaskell added: “He is quite deliberately mute. He simply refuses to speak. This is a bizarre case in which Roxberry inflicted a substantial amount of damage and faces a substantial prison sentence.

“I have one report which say the proper place for him is prison.

“He is not helping himself by his obstructive behaviour, and while he behaves like this he represents a risk to the public.”