Man ended up in court after smashing up his own car with a hammer

Marc Usher, 46, admitted a charge of threatening behaviour when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrates heard the matter was brought before the courts by the police because two people witnessed the incident and they shouldn’t have had to.

It was described in court as ‘a moment of loss of control’.

Clare Irving, prosecuting, said there was an application from the police to place Usher on a restraining order, however, the witness involved in the incident did not want this.

Gerald Armstrong, defending Usher, who lives in Whitburn Road, Cleadon, said the incident, which took place in June last year, was one of frustration.

He said Usher, a father of one, has a problem with alcohol abuse and he is desperate to get support for it.

Mr Armstrong said: “He smashed up his own car in a moment of loss of control. This was an isolated incident.

“The only person that has lost out here is Mr Usher because he has smashed up his car.

“It was not carried out whilst he was drunk, but merely committed in a momentary loss of control because his vehicle was not being returned to him.”

Usher was given a 12-month community order with 50 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a surcharge of £90.

Magistrates decided against placing Usher on a restraining order.