FED up with cars parking on private land to the rear of his sheltered housing complex a man took his anger out on a VW Amorak Jeep causing thousands of pounds of damage.

But he has been ordered to pay less than 10 per cent of the bill in compensation.

David Jerram of Lansdown Road pleaded guilty to the charge of criminal damage dating from November 5 last year when he came before magistrates sitting in Swindon.

The court heard that a number of vehicles would park on the private land behind the sheltered housing complex, but this was the first occasion that the driver of the Amorak had parked there as he was carrying out some work in a house nearby.

But as the vehicle was a rare edition, the new door and paint blending job that was required to repair the damage had totalled £2,078.89.

Prosecuting, Michelle Hewitt told the magistrates: “He admitted in his interview he didn’t think people should park there.

“He kicked the car several times, he did it deliberately, he knew it was wrong.

“The complainant confirms the door of the vehicle needs replacing and paint blending, it’s a special order vehicle and that is why the damage would appear high having been kicked by the defendant in that matter.”

Defending him, Harriett Heard said the 30-year-old suffered from mental health issues but on the day in question it was believed the attack was driven by anger. “I don’t think his mental health provides any mitigation in this case,” she said. “It was the first time that person had parked their car there in that place, but in the preceding months many people had parked there. This frustration had been building, it makes access difficult and then this great big landrover parked there.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the amount of compensation due is so high as it is a special vehicle which needs a particular sort of door that is why the value is so high.

“He has since spoken to the owner and they have said don’t worry about it, but he knows that compensation is due.

“I appreciate the complainant may not wish to claim on their insurance because it increases in coming years, but I would ask you to consider reducing the compensation due because it will take him a long time to pay it off.”

The magistrates said they would deal with the matter by way of a conditional discharge for 12 months, which means Jerram won’t face any punitive sentence, unless he reoffends within the next year.

However they did order he pay the complainant £200 compensation and imposed £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.