Angry Mansfield man hurled kitchen knife at neighbour’s car

Arran Ingham was seen hurling a kitchen knife at his neighbour's car at around 7.45pm, on November 24, last year, said prosecutor Robert Carr.

The blade dented the side panel and his neighbour witnessed the vandalism, which took £400 to repair, on CCTV.

Police were called and they found an angry and agitated Ingham nearby, holding the knife.

He told officers: "I know it was stupid to go out with the knife. I only walked around with it. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

Ingham claimed he’d argued with his girlfriend and was upset , Mr Carr said.

He was last before the courts in 2005 and has a previous conviction for criminal damage.

Valerie Thorpe, mitigating, said: "He knew straight away it was a stupid thing to do.”

She said he suffers from a number of difficulties, but ‘there would have been more risk to himself’.

"He has taken some positive steps,” she added. “He is now on medication. He has also looked into counselling."

The court heard he has been out of trouble for a long time, and he made ‘full and frank’ admissions to police.

Ingham, 26, of Newark Close, pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and criminal damage when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court, on January 11.

He was ordered to pay the owner £400 for the repairs and court costs of £85. A 12-month community order was imposed with 20 rehabilitation days.

Editor’s message: In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together.