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A FATHER-of-three scribbled a penis on a wall at Ballarat Magistrates Court to “make his children laugh”, a court heard on Tuesday. Darren McMillan, 34, drew the 50-centimetre image and the word “dictation” in the presence of his two daughters and son, aged between nine and 13, on the ground floor of the court building while attending a hearing in mid-2014. Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said the man, who pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Ballarat Magistrates Court, was setting a bizarre example to his young children. “I find it extraordinary he would behave that way in the presence of children ... it beggars belief,” said Mr Lethbridge, who questioned how fit McMillan was to look after his children. McMillan, who told police he drew the image to try to make his children laugh, on Tuesday also pleaded guilty to a number of theft charges, driving under the influence of drugs, and unregistered driving charges. Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Kent told the court McMillan stole alcohol and clothes from local stores in 2014, while also crashing into a stationary police van following a drug-fuelled drive through Wendouree on January 18, 2014. David Tamanika, for McMillan, said it was distressing for his client to acknowledge his poor behaviour. He said McMillan, who had recently taken sole guardianship of the three children, admitted he had problems with alcohol. McMillan was given a 12-month community corrections order, which Mr Lethbridge said was the accused’s last chance to behave.

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