A DRUNKEN man who smashed his neighbour’s window when he wouldn’t let him stay the night ended up before magistrates today (Thursday February 20).

After falling out with his wife, John Leslie Nixon – of Garden Place, Darlington – knocked on his neighbour’s door and asked to stay the night.

When his neighbour refused to let him in, 39-year-old Nixon picked up a house brick and threw it through his window.

Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, said: “He was intoxicated at the time and when he was refused entry, he took the foolish decision to pick up the brick and cause damage.

“He very much regrets the damage to the property and the effect on his relationship with his neighbours.”

Alistair White, chair of the bench at Darlington Magistrates Court, ordered Nixon to pay £100 compensation, a fine of £73, costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.