A PROBATION worker today described how a man turned vigilante after having his windscreen smashed by a gang of youths.

A confrontation in a discount store in Darlington was the culmination of a series of events that began when a brick was thrown at Richard William Brown’s windscreen last year, Darlington Magistrates' Court heard today (Thursday, January 16).

Brown pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour to cause fear of violence following an incident on New Years Eve when he bumped into one of the men he believed responsible for smashing his windscreen and threatened him.

Probation worker Mo Sibert said: “Two months ago, his young man was driving his car when three lads threw a brick at his windscreen.

“He became vigilante and decided to find out who they were. He was in court on Christmas Eve after throwing a brick at a car he believed belonged to one of those lads.

“He then bumped into him in a shop, not realising he worked there and there was an altercation. “He is now left with a criminal record and a cracked windscreen.”

The 23-year-old - of Stewart Street, Darlington - was handed a community order with six months supervision and ordered to pay costs of £40 and a victim surcharge of £60.

He also had his driving licence endorsed with six points after admitting driving without the correct insurance.