A MAN was ordered to pay compensation after he went on a criminal damage spree fuelled by alcohol and magic mushrooms.

Wayne Thompson suffered terrifying hallucinations of dead relatives after eating 100 magic mushrooms and drinking six or seven pints on Sunday, September 21.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard that he met a friend when he left The Grey Horse pub, in Shildon, and they both consumed a large quantity of the mushrooms.

The 37-year-old, of Lambton Street, Shildon, immediately began hallucinating and imagined dead relatives were talking to him and started searching for members of his family to help.

John Garside, prosecuting, said Thompson walked to various properties in the town where he smashed a greenhouse, windows and doors.

The total cost of the damage was estimated at £1,730.

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said: “It was a very difficult time of his life - losing his job, facing financial difficulties, in the process of losing his house and separated from his girlfriend.

“This was a very intelligent young man acting in an unintelligent manner.

“He saw dead relatives talking to him and went on a rampage to try to find those ghostly figures.

“He thought he had flatlined and was dead, hoping to wake up any time from the nightmare hell he found himself in.”

She said he could remember the hallucinations, but not his actions and is now getting medical help and financial help to turn his life around.

Thompson admitted three charges of criminal damage and asked for a further three to be taken into consideration.

He was sentenced to 12 months supervision and ordered to pay £500 compensation.