Charlie Bamber glad he was caught for criminal damage in Queen Street, Barnstaple

A TEENAGER says he is glad he was caught after CCTV footage showed him causing criminal damage to a car in a Barnstaple car park.

Charlie Bamber, 19, of 18 Martion Road, told magistrates he was pleased he had been filmed kicking a car belonging to Victoria Reed in the early hours of November 30.

"If that was my car, and someone had done that to it and got away with it, I'd be distraught," he said.

Magistrates heard how Bamber, who pleaded guilty to the charge of criminal damage, had drunk six beers at home before going into town on the evening of November 29.

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Lyndsey Baker, for the prosecution, explained how he then had several more drinks in pubs around the town before being refused entry to a nightclub.

She said: "He's seen on camera in the early hours stood outside Barum Takeaway with a group, before walking off to Queen Street car park on his own.

"He relieves himself in a hedge before approaching the car and swinging his elbow into the window."

She said he was then seen kicking the front passenger door of the silver Nissan Micra four times before walking away and being stopped by a woman who managed to calm him down.

"Bamber, who defended himself, said he didn't remember the incident.

"That's not me, although obviously it is," he said.

"I don't know why I did it. I wasn't trying to steal the car, I can't drive.

"The people I was with weren't my friends and I must have got angry with them which is why I did it.

"It was just me being an idiot drinking. I'm very sorry."

Presiding magistrate Judith Killen handed Bamber a 12-month conditional discharge and told him the crime would now be "hanging over" him.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.