A MAN has been sentenced to a 12-month community order after driving his car into a sheltered housing complex causing over £7,000 worth of damage.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Ozzy Winston Smith, 62, had driven slowly into the doors of Kenyon Rise, Morris Green Lane where he was living at the time, on the morning of April 2 2020, after an argument with staff.

While a Kenyon Rise resident, Smith had become unsettled by comings and goings at the facility, including the arrival of newcomers who he felt had been causing trouble.

The court heard that he had become argumentative with staff and started shouting: “You don’t give a sh*t.

“Druggies, dealing drugs, I have had enough.”

Ten minutes later he then slowly drove his car into the building, damaging a bollard and the doors, causing over £7000 worth of damage.

He then waited until the police and fire brigade arrived answering “no comment” to all of the subsequent police questions.

The court heard from counsel for the prosecution Denise Fitzpatrick how Kenyon Rise housed vulnerable people who, despite the early hours, could have been put at risk and that staff were concerned for their safety if Smith was allowed back.

However, Damian Zelazowski, defending, argued that the damage caused by Smith had since been paid for by his insurance, that he had suffered from ill health and that he had been unlikely to hurt anyone as he was moving slowly.

Mr Zelazowski said: “He used the phrase that he simply lost the plot.”

He added: “His frustration at what had been going on boiled over, he accepts that his behaviour was stupid, he’s deeply ashamed of having to come back before the court.”

He also pointed out that Smith had already pleaded guilty to the offence, is no longer driving, that he has a good relationship with his son who he sees on a regular basis and that he is much happier in his new accommodation.

The pre-sentence report also judged him to be at low risk of offending.

Sentencing, Judge Graeme Smith said: “This was something done in frustration and anger.

He added: “You obviously had a grievance that you felt was not being addressed and you took out that grievance by damaging property.”

As such Smith was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including ten rehabilitation requirement days and a penalty to pay of £500.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years, beginning from July 21, even though the judge deemed him unlikely to return to driving in any case