A MAN escaped jail despite admitting he failed to appear in court for smashing a car window with his fist.

Julian Brighton pleaded guilty yesterday to counts of criminal damage and skipping bail but was handed fines rather than a prison sentence.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard how the 23-year-old was found outside the Ring of Bells pub, in The Holloway, Droitwich, on March 31 with bloodied knuckles.

Peter Parson, prosecuting, said the Stourport-on-Severn man was "obviously drunk" and had punched the rear window of the pub landlord's Austin Montego after an argument.

Brighton, of Hanstone Road, was due to appear at the court on April 8 to face the charge but turned up a week later by mistake.

David Taylor, defending, said Brighton was then advised to hand himself in to police but had been delayed by his work as a tree surgeon.

Jeopardise

"The strong winds recently mean he's been working flat out seven days a week.

"His boss told him if he took time off he would jeopardise that employment," explained Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor said sentencing Brighton to jail for skipping bail - as recommended by the Lord Chief Justice - would "serve no useful purpose at all".

Magistrates fined Brighton £150 for the criminal damage, ordered him to pay £200 compensation and contribute £55 costs.

He was fined £250 for the bail offence.