Man poured paint stripper over garage cars

Peter Colin Bailey, 48, of Manners Way, Southend-On-Sea, caused 9373.28 worth of damage to 12 vehicles at Bexhill Motors during the late night attack on June 25 this year.

Bailey drove from his home town to Bexhill and was spotted at 11.40pm throwing the corrosive liquid all over the vehicles parked outside the garage, before driving off in a Volkswagen Polo.

Another motorist took down the car's registration number and five minutes later Bailey was stopped by police and arrested.

Officers searched Bailey and found a small wrap of cocaine in his wallet.

Cans of paint stripper and a small amount of cannabis were also discovered in his car.

When interviewed, Bailey gave police no explanation as to why he had vandalised the vehicles.

Bailey pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to one charge of criminal damage and to possessing Class A and Class C drugs.

Hastings Magistrates Court heard Bailey has a list of previous convictions, including convictions for criminal damage in 1992 and 1993.

Sam Wingfield, defending, said her client had instructed her not to reveal the reason he threw paint stripper over the cars.

She said: "This is a simple, straightforward crime.

"There of course has been damage to the tune of 9373.28 and should be dealt with here without being committed to crown court.

"He admits he has done it and will accept any punishment the court gives him."

Mrs Wingfield said Bailey had managed to keep out of trouble since being released from prison in 1999 after serving two years of a six year sentence.

She also pointed out Bailey's employers - a car firm - had written to the court in support of their employee.

Mrs Wingfield said: "When you think about the offence Mr Bailey is here for today, it's rather odd any car firm is happy to take him on.

"They are obviously pleased with Mr Bailey, despite the offence for which he is here before you today."

But she said the company may not be able to keep him on if he were sent to jail.

Mrs Wingfield said: "It's unlikely he would have that job when he comes out and a man with previous convictions like his would find it difficult to find work."

She said Bailey, who lives with his wife and 15-year-old daughter, could also find his marriage in jeopardy.

Mrs Wingfield said: "He has advised me his wife said she will not be around if he is put away today."

Speaking about the drugs discovered in Bailey's possession, Mrs Wingfield said: "He does not take cocaine anymore and it was a microscopic amount, so much so they could not measure it and the same with the cannabis as well.

"It was probably less than half a gramme."

Magistrates handed Bailey a 21 week prison sentence and ordered he pay 1000 compensation to the garage owner.

No separate penalty was imposed for the possession of the cocaine and cannabis.