An Exeter man high on ketamine trashed his neighbour’s new car within hours of him buying it as a reward for finishing chemotherapy, a court has heard.
A 44-year-old man has appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court after taking ketamine and throwing a flowerpot onto the roof of his neighbour’s brand-new car, writes Isabelle Pinnock, OPCC court reporting scheme.
Simon Cobb, of Altamira, Topsham, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of ketamine from August 9 last year.
The court heard the victim had been visiting his son in Topsham, when they heard thumping and banging from the flat upstairs where Cobb lives.
The complainant put his head out the window and narrowly avoided being spat on, so called up at the defendant.
He later heard a loud bang outside and saw damage to his car which was parked below, with a stone object next to it and scratches along the door. He looked up and saw the defendant on his balcony.
The court heard the victim had bought the car just 12 hours before as a gift to himself following chemotherapy. Cobb’s attack caused £1,483.09 in damage.
The police were called and Cobb was resistant to letting them in. He instead played loud music and called the victim and his wife “entitled British w**kers”.
After another loud bang and a smash, the victim looked to see a new dent on the roof of his car with a freshly broken flowerpot next to it.
After eventually letting the officers in, Cobb was booked and found with a small bag of ketamine.
The defendant has one previous conviction from 2005 for threatening behaviour.
District Judge Smith described the incident as “completely out of character”. He said: “clearly the ketamine you consumed was affecting you quite significantly.
“They (the items) could have hit somebody. Instead, they hit a neighbour’s car following a brief confrontation.”
Cobb was handed a 12-month community order with 50 hours of unpaid work. He must pay full compensation to his neighbour, as well as a surcharge of £114 and court costs of £85.
