A YOUNG Neston man wielded a stick and damaged residents' cars and a gate in what Chester magistrates labelled a "rampage".

Harry Dodd, 24, of Shakespeare Road, pleaded guilty on Friday, September 7 at Chester Magistrates Court to three counts of criminal damage and three counts of attempted criminal damage committed in Neston on the night of August 19.

He was handed an eight-week suspended jail term and ordered to pay a total of £900 compensation to his victims.

Prosecuting, Alan Curams said it was about 2.30am when witness Matthew Monaghan was at his home address when he heard shouting up the road.

He saw Dodd with a white piece of wood and he was with a female and another male.

Mr Monaghan then hears the sound of something breaking off and he has a verbal exchange with Dodd, who swore at him before adding: "What are you going to do about it?"

Mr Monaghan then asked his son to phone the police and sees the damage caused to his wooden gate, where the top has been damaged and splintered.

A second witness, Pamela Alkins, had also phoned the police.

She was woken at 2.30am and looked through her bedroom window to see Dodd damaging one of her cars repeatedly, headbutting the passenger side window.

There were multiple white marks on the bumper and deep scratches to a Vauxhall Corsa, while damage was attempted on a VW Transporter van.

One of the two vehicles, Mr Curam said, she had had for only two weeks.

A third witness, Paul Jolliffe, said he was informed by police at 11.30am there was damage to his BMW.

Looking at CCTV evidence, Mr Jolliffe saw Dodd using a white stick to attack the vehicle at 2.29am.

There was also attempted damage to a VW Passatt owned by Shirley Jones and an Audi belonging to an unknown person.

In police interview, Dodd made "no comment" answers to questions but had since entered a guilty plea.

He had received a conditional discharge in January for a dissimilar offence, and was convicted in 2016 on two counts of criminal damage.

Defending, Adrian Evans said Dodd wished to apologise "to each and every one of the victims for this awful act of destruction".

"He is aware of the upset and distress that was caused to the victims," Mr Evans added.

He had previously been sent to custody for burglary and realised he had issues with mental health.

With the support of his partner, he had sought help, acknowledging he had issues with drink.

He had gone to a psychiatrist and has been initially diagnosed with ADHD and possible schizophrenia. He had also, of his own volition, made good progress by attending drugs and alcohol courses through the council.

His first child was expected in two weeks time, while his partner put pen to paper to provide a good character reference for him to the court.

A report from probation said the officer had noted a change in the level of Dodd's maturity and that he wanted to get help.

Sentencing Dodd, chair of magistrates Jane Davies said: "It's disgraceful when people have worked hard to buy nice things and in a rampage you ruin things for them.

"Because of your pro-active approach to turning your life around, we have decided to suspend the sentence."

The eight-week prison term was suspended for 12 months, and Dodd must complete 35 days of a rehabilitation and activity requirement.

He must pay Mr Jolliffe £350 compensation, Ms Alkins £350 compensation and Mr Monaghan £200 compensation.

It was agreed Dodd would pay the sum at the rate of £10 a fortnight due to him being on benefits.

As he left the dock, Dodd said: "I am really sorry for my actions."