Child's scooter was thrown into canal

Leighton Mitchell stole a child's scooter and threw it in the canal during the rampage in July.

Droitwich magistrates heard that 20-year-old Mitchell, a second-year HND student at University College Worcester, admitted two charges of theft, two of criminal damage and a breach of a conditional discharge.

"It was on Sunday, July 15, around 5am in the area of Worcester Road, Droitwich," said Edward Saulsby, prosecuting.

"Along with three friends he entered upon a spree of vandalism in the area.

"He and his co-defendants admitted theft of hanging baskets, damage to posts, pots, motor vehicles, signs, ornamental lanterns, all as they proceeded to wherever they were going."

The other three were dealt with by the court in August.

"Mitchell has admitted theft of a pram pushchair taken from a school shed," added Mr Saulsby.

The court also heard that a woman was woken by "rowdy behaviour" in the early hours.

When she got up later in the morning she found her fence had been damaged and her child's scooter had been taken.

It had been thrown in the canal.

Two garage signs had also been smashed and Mitchell also admitted stealing a mobile phone earlier in the evening.

"We accept that this is a disgraceful string of offences," said Juliet Simms, defending.

"Alcohol played a very large part of it.

"He couldn't remember much about what had happened due to the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

"He relied on his co-defendants to remind him."

The court heard that since the crime spree Mitchell, of Torridon Close, Stourport-on-Severn, had sought help for his alcohol problem.

"He's attended an alcohol rehabilitation programme," said Mrs Simms.

"He says he now tries to stay away from alcohol."

A two-year conditional discharge imposed in March was for failing to provide a specimen.

Magistrates decided to allow the conditional discharge to run on.

Mitchell was ordered to carry out 40 hours community punishment order and pay £624.91 compensation.