AN 18-year-old from Selby was told he was “extremely fortunate” that his mother had stood by him, after he attacked her car following an argument.

Jamie William Alford, of Milton Place, Gowthorpe, appeared before Selby Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, and pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage, after he caused almost £1,000 worth of damage to his mother’s Fiat Seicento.

The court heard Alford had ripped a wing mirror from the car on April 14. A second incident occurred on April 24, after Alford had sent numerous texts to his mother, Ghislaine Stirr, asking to borrow money for his rent.

When she refused, the court heard he sent more texts asking for money to buy food, and Ms Stirr invited him to her home and offered him a sandwich.

Sandra White, prosecuting, said Alford was frustrated at getting no money and took out his anger on his mother’s car, causing three large dents to the driver’s side, as well as paint damage.

He accepted in police interviews causing the damage on both occasions.

The court heard that although the cost to repair the damage was estimated at more than the car’s value, Ms Stirr had not asked for compensation as the vehicle was still in a driveable condition.

Neil Kutte, for Alford, said: “He is fortunate he has got a mother who is still supporting him, and has asked the police not to take matters this far.

“Things in his own teenage mind got way out of control. He did them, he shouldn’t have done them, and he knows it was wrong.”

Sentencing Alford to an 18-month conditional discharge and ordering him to pay £85 towards prosecution costs, magistrate Ron Humphrys said: “This is a moment of stupidity and madness just because you didn’t get what you wanted, so you kicked seven bells out of your mother’s car.

“She’s looked after you and brought you up, and this is how you repay her?

“You are extremely fortunate that your mother is standing by you after all this, and it’s about time now that you respect your mother and start sorting things out.”