A MAN has been given a eight week curfew and ordered to pay more than £200 for causing several dents to a car in a neighbouring street.
Anthony Graham Griffin, of St Clements Court, pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates Court on May 29 to damaging the windscreen and body work of a Ford Focus.
Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, told the court the police were called when the 56-year-old was seen outside Martin Rouse’s , the owner of car, home address with a small object in his hand believed to be hammer. He was striking at the bonnet of the car and walked around it continually hitting the vehicle on April 16.
He was gone when police arrived and was seen heading to his home. Police interviewed him and he explained there had been an ongoing dispute between him and the owner of the car and so he decided to visit their address with the intention of damaging the vehicle.
Defence solicitor, Chris Hilton, said the defendant suffered from advanced Parkinson’s disease and had bought a van from the claimant for £900 which they had repossessed. Griffin complained to police who investigated and decided not pursue it further.
Mr Hilton said: “Having paid £900 for that van and indicated in his interview that he saw red and decided to take matters in to his own hands obviously in the circumstances is something he regrets and will be punished for.
“I have discussed with him that if he wanted to complain about the vehicle the police was the right way to do it but when they did not work the civil courts is the way to progress.”
Chair of the bench, Sue Mitchell, said: “I think the bench feels you have learnt the consequences of taking matters into your own hands. There are other means and going round damaging vehicles is not one of them.”
