TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
Well-known member
Swap deal led to smashed-up car By JOSEPH TULIP
Published on Saturday 10 September 2011 13:00
A SCAFFOLDER climbed on the bonnet of a car and smashed the windscreen in a dispute over cash.
Scott Kelly had arranged to exchange his Vauxhall Astra and £1,200 for a Subaru with Marc Hedley.
But when the money wasn’t paid up and Mr Hedley repeatedly asked for what he was owed, Kelly, 23, went round to his South Tyneside home and vandalised the car.
Kelly, of Makendon Street, Hebburn, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage on Saturday, July 30.
Keith Laidler, prosecuting, said: “The injured party had sold the Subaru to Kelly, in exchange for £1,200 plus his car, a Vauxhall Astra.
“He received the car, but did not receive the money from Kelly. He went to his home, but Kelly was not present.
“He sent him a text message, inviting Kelly to come and see him at his home, which is also in Hebburn.
“Mr Hedley was looking out of his upstairs window when he saw Kelly and three other men approach his car.
“He immediately heard a bang and saw two or three males running away from the area.”
Kelly was later arrested but initially denied smashing the windscreen, before changing his statement and admitting the offence.
Mr Laidler added: “He said he climbed up on the vehicle’s
bonnet and windscreen. This caused it to crack, and made it shatter.
“He then ran away. He admitted the weight of his 13 stone would cause it to crack.”
Jenny Coxon, defending, said: “He fully accepted that he damaged the windscreen, and accepted that there were issues over payments in relation to the vehicles.
“He had been celebrating his birthday with friends and got wound up about the situation.
“He accepts that he went onto the bonnet and onto the windscreen, which broke.”
The court heard that Kelly is a self-employed scaffolder and “family man”.
He received a conditional discharge for six months, was ordered to pay compensation of £100, and court costs of £85.
Sarah Harper, chairing the magistrates, said: “What was a stupid act has cost you dearly and you will have to stay out of trouble for the next six months.”