Drunk damaged car ... with a bin

A DRUNK man damaged a car parked outside his neighbour’s house - when he swung a wheeled bin at his own front door and missed.

Neil Urquhart was frustrated at being unable to enter his Great Northern Street home and thought that the bin would help.

But he ended up in court after he lost his grip and it caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to a Lexus parked nearby.

The incident happened on September 15 when the victim was visiting a friend’s address on the street, Kirklees Magistrates’ Court was told.

He left his Lexus Estate outside and was having a cigarette with him in the garden when he heard Urquhart shouting at the front of the property.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said: “He was banging on his door. He then picked up a wheelie bin with the intention of using it on his own door.

“But he lost his grip on it and it impacted upon the victim’s car parked behind him.”

The rear bumper was scuffed and scratched and the estimated cost of repairing it was £225, the Huddersfield court heard.

Urquhart, 49, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage.

His solicitor Sam Jackson said to magistrates that his client told police what he could remember, which wasn’t a great deal as he had been drinking.

He said: “He was using the wheelie bin on his own front door as he had difficulties with the lock. He was getting frustrated and trying to gain entry to his own property.

“Rather stupidly he lets go of the bin and damages the car behind him.

“When he was told that he was being charged by police he responded that he’d pay for the damage.”

He said that Urquhart had experienced difficulties with alcohol in the past but had been proactive in seeking help and not touched a drop for more than two weeks.

Mr Jackson added: “He’s moved away from the property and has no issues with the neighbours now.”

Urquhart, of Birkby Hall Road in Birkby, was ordered to pay the victim £225 compensation.

He was fined £80 and will have to pay £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.