Zachariah Texas Lapthorne: Man admits jumping through three Geraldton backyards during drug-induced psychosis

A man has admitted to bizarre behaviour, jumping fences and trespassing in three Spalding backyards while experiencing a drug-induced psychosis. Zachariah Texas Lapthorne pleaded guilty to the series of offences when he appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Greenough Regional Prison. The charges included two counts of damaging property, three counts of trespassing, possession of a prohibited weapon, and breach of bail. The Carnarvon man had a limited support network in Geraldton, which influenced his reckless behaviour on February 19, the court was told. Lapthorne’s lawyer Kate Fry claimed the incident happened in the wake of her client’s grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s deaths one week apart. “He was not in a good mental state, and turned to drugs at the time,” she said. Two of the three Spalding properties on Drew Street had fences damaged as a result of Lapthorne’s actions. He approached the back door of one of the homes but left when he heard a dog bark. Another resident told Lapthorne to leave once they saw him enter their yard and he obliged. It is unclear whether the resident of the third property was home. Lapthorne was arrested and taken to hospital, where he was admitted for drug-induced psychosis. He failed to report for bail the following morning as “he had just left hospital”, Ms Fry said. “He is remorseful and appreciates that it would have been quite frightening,” she said. Lapthorne’s court appearance included charges for a separate incident in which he was carrying a knife. His lawyer said “he had it on him for protection. He was paranoid at the time”. Ms Fry said Lapthorne had upcoming charges for a string of alleged offences including bodily harm, dangerous driving in escape of pursuit, and failure to comply when instructed to stop. Magistrate Kevin Tavener said: “The fact he’s jumping the fence on drugs does scare people, but I will take into account the fact you are already in custody.” Lapthorne was issued a $400 fine.