A drunken Lancashire man has given his neighbour's car a damn good thrashing.
Damien Matisik, 37, of Whitehall Street, Nelson, admitted offences of criminal damage and possession of a bladed article when he appeared at Blackburn Magistrates' Court a few days' ago.
Possession of a bladed article is an offence under section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The offence, which is triable either way, has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody on summary conviction; 4 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
Magistrates heard that Matisik, in scenes reminscent of 1970's hit comedy Fawlty Towers, removed a "to let" sign from a neighbours garden and proceeded to batter a nearby car with it.
Matisik, originally from Poland, was said to be "ranting and raving" in Polish throughout the bizarre incident.
Nasima Patel, prosecuting, described how residents were awoken by noise outside on the street.
"The car owner says the damage to the car would cost £1,000 and there is a £250 excess on the insurance," she said.
To make matters worse, police recovered a knife from the defendant when he was searched upon his arrest.
Jonathan Taylor, mitigating, said his client was heavily in drink at the time.
"He's very sorry and hasn't had a drink since," Mr Taylor told the court.
Magistrates were of the view that Matisik's offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. However, they elected to suspend the custodial term on the basis that the 37-year-old had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
Matisik was sentenced to 16 weeks' custody suspended for 12 months, with the requirements that he completes up to 10 days' rehabilitation activity and 9 months' alcohol treatment.
He was also ordered to pay £154 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.
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