A cash machine was put out of action in Penryn, Cornwall, after it was smashed by a man whose fish had been poisoned.
Daniel White pleaded guilty to damaging the ATM outside the Costcutter store in Lower Market Street in February and to the possession of a knife in a public place.
Prosecution said that White gone into the Costcutter shop in Lower Market Street, complaining that a visitor had put something into his tank that had killed his fish. When he had gone back outside, a supervisor heard a thud and the sound of smashing. A witness had seen White jabbing at the ATM outside the shop with a walking stick.
He was arrested soon after and a lock knife was found to be in his possession. He also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
White said he was drunk at the time of the incident and had no recollection of smashing the cash machine. He said that he used the knife, which was kept on a keyring, to work on his boat.
His solicitor said that White had gone into the shop to see if he could find the person who had killed his fish. He then became upset and took out his frustration on the ATM.
White, who suffers from bipolar disorder and depression, was fined £50 and £30 costs and surcharge and told to pay £300 in compensation.
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