A teenager will likely escape a conviction for criminal damage he committed when he was a minor after being remanded in police custody over the weekend.
Zander Hawkins, 18, pleaded guilty to spray-painting a red Vauxhall Corsa in Calne on 26 August 2019, when he was 17-years-old.
Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard how Corsa owner James Surry awoke to noises, including giggling, coming from outside his home at around 2am in the morning. When he went to his car in the hours of daylight, he discovered the damage – a black paint line on the side of his vehicle.
It was claimed at the time of the incident the victim was in a relationship with Hawkins’ former girlfriend.
The defendant, of North Cote, Calne, admitted he had committed the offence to Mr Surry on social media sometime after it had occurred – he then reported it to the police.
The prosecutor told district judge Joanna Dickens that the spray paint was removed from the car without causing any damage.
Defending, Mr Glendenning told the court his client is self-employed, earning around £300 a week as a shopfitter.
“I’m not quite sure why this ever got to court, to be honest. I wouldn’t imagine it’s a high-priority crime for the police, you appear to admit it over social media – you won’t do that again, I suspect”, district judge Dickens said.
Continuing: “You’ve done everything correctly, you’ve pleaded guilty at the right time. Clearly, you’re moving on with your life, you’re 18 and you’re putting all this behind you I’m assuming.
“It was such a long time ago that this offence happened. For all those reasons, and because you’ve been in custody over the weekend, what I’m going to do is a conditional discharge for six months.”
The conviction won’t appear on Hawkins’ record as long as no further offences are committed within six months of today’s date.
