A FATHER-TO-BE had his knuckles rapped by a magistrate after jumping on a car roof during a drunken birthday celebration.

Christopher Michael McCullock, 26, was given a stern warning about the meaning of the word "consequences" when he appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates.

The court heard McCullock, of Ruskin Road, Darlington, left foot prints and dents on the Fiat Punto when he jumped up and down on the roof and bonnet on December 22.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, said the victim was left angry and upset by the £2,176 worth of damage.

In mitigation, Tom Morgan said McCullock committed the offence on "impulse in a state of extreme intoxication".

The defendant told the court he was "really sorry" and said it would never happen again.

Chairman of the bench Rajeev Devgan said: "I think you do not understand the word consequences.

"Before you do something stop and think about the consequences of what you are doing - being drunk isn't an excuse."

McCullock, who pleaded guilty to criminal damage, was handed a 12 month community order and must carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge.