Teenager took hammer to parent's home

Eighteen-year-old also 'repeatedly spat' in police van

A court's heard a Ramsey teenager took a hammer to his parent's home and tried to smash his way through the front door.

Eighteen-year-old Lee Benjamin Vanner of no fixed address appeared before magistrates at Douglas courthouse.

He pleaded guilty to one count of using provoking behaviour and two of criminal damage.

Prosecution advocate Rachel Braidwood said Vanner had been evicted from a flat on Mooragh Promenade on 18 June.

He phoned his mother to ask if he could live at her home on Westbourne Road, but she refused because he'd behaved violently in the past.

In response, Vanner took a hammer to the house and demanded to be let inside, attacking the door when he was refused entry.

Police were called and arrested Vanner, who repeatedly spat in the back of the van when he was taken into custody.

Magistrates put him on probation for 12 months and ordered him to pay £120 towards prosecution costs.