Man threw white paint over kitchen at house party

INSTEAD of painting the town red, drunken Martyn Harvey decided to paint someone else's house white.

The 21-year-old invited his friends to a party in an empty home and then threw paint all over the kitchen and the utility room, a court heard.

He poured white paint on the floor, work surfaces and even inside the cooker and washing machine.

A judge at Plymouth Crown Court was shown photographs showing words daubed on the windows of the Stoke house, which was being redecorated.

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Judge Paul Darlow said: "This was a mean and nasty act of vandalism.

"The fact you were drunk in all probability makes matters worse."

He sentenced him to 20 weeks in jail suspended for two years.

Harvey will be under probation supervision for 18 months, must complete 220 hours unpaid work and will be under curfew at home every night for the next four months.

He must also pay £500 in compensation to the property owner.

Harvey, of South View Terrace, St Jude's, had earlier admitted burglary by entering the home in Ford Hill as a trespasser with intent to do unlawful damage between April 14 and May 2.

Alistair Verheijen, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said police were called after the damage was discovered.

He added police traced Harvey by fingerprints left on a can of cider.

Mr Verheijen said the defendant told police in interview that he had met with a friend who still had the key to a former rented house.

He added the pair went to the address, which was empty as it was being renovated, and invited friends over.

The court heard Harvey took full responsibility for pouring the paint over the property and claimed none of his friends were involved.

Mr Verheijen said the estimated cost of clearing up the mess was £1,000.

The court heard he had previous convictions going back five years including common assault and criminal damage.

Nick Lewin, for Harvey, said: "This was an act of stupidity rather than pure criminality. It is not worth throwing away the key on him yet ."

"He is not rotten, if he goes to prison he runs the risk of becoming rotten."

Mr Lewin said Harvey had to address his alcohol use and find ways to occupy his time.