POLICE “sat and watched” as two drunks vandalised an elderly man’s car, a court was told.

Ashley Smith and Ashley Dunn, both of Malvern, were found guilty of causing criminal damage valued at £271 to a Citroen Saxo belonging to Thomas Voss, who is in his 80s, while under the influence of alcohol.

Peter Love, prosecuting, said Mr Voss was left without the car he “relied on” for 10 days. Mr Love said the pair were seen by officers in an unmarked police car as they shunted the vehicle sideways by about two feet in Station Approach near Great Malvern railway station at about 1.25am on Saturday, March 16. Dunn then kicked the side of the car about five times and broke the driver’s side wing mirror off and Smith snapped the rear windscreen wiper off and broke the rear windscreen. Mark Turnbull, defending, said Smith didn’t intend to smash the rear windscreen.

He said: “It’s disappointing that police parked in their vehicle only 50 yards away sat and watched. “Perhaps if they intervened the men may have done no more than run away.” For his part in the incident, Dunn, of Skyrrold Road, was put on curfew between 8pm and 6am for 16 weeks and electronically tagged. The 23-year-old, who admitted drinking before going out and then having four pints of lager, was on community service at the time. He was ordered to pay £136 compensation as well as costs of £85 a £60 victim surcharge.

Paul Stanley, defending, said Dunn had abided by the terms of his community order, had shown “some form of motivation” and could work with the probation service to address his alcohol issues. Mr Stanley said it wasn’t premeditated and they did it because of the alcohol consumed.

Smith, of Marsh Close, was ordered to pay compensation of £135 along with a fine of £110, £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The 22-year-old said he drank seven cans of lager before going out and then had three pints of lager and a brandy.