A TEENAGER who damaged 13 cars in a drunken rampage believes his drink was spiked, a court heard.

Hayden David Bowers, 18, targeted the windows and windscreens of cars parked in the Woodhouse Close area of Bishop Auckland on Sunday, September 28.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, October 8), said traces of Bowers’ blood had been found on the vehicle at Linburn Drive and at four other sites.

She said Bowers' actions had caused hundreds-of-pounds-worth of damage and had greatly inconvenienced the victims.

Bowers, of Farndale Square, Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of criminal damage.

Magistrates heard he was on bail and was subject to community order at the time of the offences.

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said: “Hayden Bowers is 18 years of age and has an extensive record. What I can say is he is someone who is ashamed of his actions.

“He had calmed himself down and was doing well on the order. He was working with the probation service and keeping appointments.”

Ms Burnett said Bowers was aware of the anti-social nature of the crimes and was sorry for the inconvenience he had caused.

“He had been drinking and is firmly of the view that someone had spiked his drink,” she continued.

“He was with people who were taking drugs and although he wasn’t involved himself he believes that someone spiked his drink as an act of revenge.”

Magistrates sentenced Bowers to a four month electronically tagged curfew from 7pm to 7am.

The existing community order will continue and Bowers was ordered to pay £390 compensation.