A DRUNKEN escapade in which two men dared each other to damage a car, ended with them having the share the cost of repairs.
One man, Zak Senior, admitted the offence and was given an official caution along with a bill for £125 while the other appeared before Oswestry magistrates last week and was ordered to pay a similar amount, was given a six month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £325 court costs.
The court heard that Craig Andrew Mapp, 18, of 48 Greenfields, St Martins had initially claimed that Senior alone was responsible for the damage and two trial dates had been set before he admitted his part.
Miss Katie Price, prosecuting, said that on September 5 last year a Vauxhall Vectra owned by Mr Clive Fox had been parked near his house on the Greenfields estate in St Martins when damage was caused to the nearside passenger door, the driver’s door was scratched, and door mirror and bumper damaged.
Mapp went to the car owner and disclaimed all responsibility which surprised Mr Fox who had made no accusations about anyone.
Interviewed by police, Mapp maintained his innocence but finally admitted his part prior to a trial scheduled in February.
Mr Alun Williams, defending, said Mapp had kept out of trouble for three years and was being supported by his mother, but had been drinking on the night of the incident which had affected his judgment. The two men had been daring each other to damage the car although more damage had been done by Mapp’s accomplice.
Mr Williams said that because of his contact with Mr Fox and implicating Senior he had put himself in the ‘shop window’ for the offence and made the police’s job easier.
He said that Senior had been dealt with more leniently because he did not have any previous convictions.