AFTER making the mistake of spitting on a police car one teenager realised the only way to really make amends was to offer to wash the vehicle.

So yesterday 15-year-old Brandon Clarke took a trip to Gablecross police station to wash a police riot van.

The teenager, who is a student at the Stratton Education Centre, agreed to thoroughly clean the van to the satisfaction of PC Frank Key, whose vehicle he targeted outside of the school, in St Philips Road.

The reparation, organised by the police and Swindon Youth Offending Team, is part of a final warning given to Brandon for the public order offence and a separate criminal damage offence.

“I volunteered to wash the van because I thought the punishment I had was not enough, I thought I had to do something physical,” he said.

“I offered an apology letter and I also offered to wash the vehicle. It was basically to do something extra.

“Me spitting on the car was just me being stupid, not thinking about what I was doing and following everyone else.”

The crime took place on November 3 when PC Key, the community beat manager for Upper Stratton, was on one of his regular visits to Stratton Education Centre.

As he watched the children leave the school to ensure they got home safely, Brandon spat on the officer’s parked car.

Brandon, of Walcot, who had previously committed criminal damage when he ripped a poster from a bus window, admitted both offences and was offered the chance of accepting a final warning.

As well as speaking in-depth to officers about his offending, he also had to write a letter of apology to PC Key and volunteered to wash a patrol car. The youngster used a jet washer, brushes, soap and wax to leave the van shining.

Brandon’s mother Gillian Clarke, 56, said: “It’s a pretty good idea of his because if it’s going in the Swindon Advertiser it may make other kids think.

“If they are going to have to clean cars they will not spit on cars.”

PC Key said Brandon’s offer to clean the car deserved recognition.

“It is a really positive step that he is happy to go ahead with this and it shows the good work that the Stratton Education Centre is doing to encourage pupils to make positive choices,” he said.

“It is a positive way of dealing with minor offences and it will directly stick in the mind of the individual that if you commit offences there are direct consequences “And, hopefully, he will not forget this punishment and it will prevent him from committing anti-social behaviour in the future.”

PC Tim Steed, the case officer at Swindon Youth Offending Team, said: “All actions have a consequence. This young man now realises that and wished to repair the harm caused by his behaviour.

“It should be seen as a positive action by the young person and as an example of Swindon Youth Offending Team working with Swindon Police to resolve crime.

“I applaud his determination to put things right and hope this is a salutary lesson for him and others alike.”