Fish died in Wisbech man's angry rampage in which he smashed tank

A Wisbech man got angry and smashed up property in his partner’s home after she refused a plea for help.

Fish died after Michael Philip McTaggart destroyed their tank and he also lashed out at picture frames, a vase and a television.

The 29-year-old old then video-called his partner “in a calm manner” to show her all the damage, which was put at over £600 worth.

Appearing at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, McTaggart, of Nursery Drive, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and sending threatening messages via WhatsApp.

Prosecuting, Robyn Khan said McTaggart’s partner received a phone call from his mother after 10pm on January 25, telling her to get out of the property immediately.

Miss Khan added: “She said ‘Michael is going to do something he regrets’. The court heard McTaggart was earlier refused help from his partner when he called her after putting his car in a ditch.

In mitigation, Hugh Cauthery said his client had moved back in with his partner four weeks before the incident and had ensured there were no children in the property.

“The bulk of the property damage in her house was his property,” he added.

Mr Cauthery said £300 for a damaged carpet and £300 for a television had already been paid to the complainant.

The court was told that McTaggart was on a two-year community order within which he had completed a Building Better Relationships programme. There were rehabilitation activity requirement days outstanding.

The case was adjourned to September 3 for a pre-sentencing report to be completed and McTaggart was granted conditional bail.