A MAN was so angry he missed his bus home that he stole a jar of cooking sauce and threw it through Arriva’s office window.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how Christopher Lane picked up the Lloyd Grossman jar in a Tesco store in Darlington town centre after he failed to find a brick.

Paula Sanderson, prosecuting, said: “The defendant went into Tesco, shouted ‘if you want a fight I’m going to fill you in’, selected a jar of cooking sauce and then left the store without making any attempt to pay for the item.

“He then ran along Tubwell Row, stopped outside of the Arriva office and threw the jar of sauce through the window of the office causing damage to it.

“He then shouted ‘I’m going to kill you, I know where you live’ at a security guard before running off in the direction of the railway station.”

Mrs Sanderson added: “During police interview he said he was angry that he had missed the last bus home and as he could not see a brick he went into the store looking for a bottle.

“He admitted that his behaviour was threatening and abusive.”

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to criminal damage, theft from a shop and using threatening and abusive behaviour to cause harassment on the evening of Monday, July 20.

Colin Sleeman, representing Lane, said the defendant has mental health issues. He said: “Mr Lane has previously been diagnosed with a personality disorder.”

The case was adjourned today (Wednesday, August 12) for a pre-sentence report.

Lane, of Simonside Walk, Middlesbrough will appear back at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for sentencing in September.