A YOUNG man’s “bizarre” behaviour, robbing a householder in his own garage before throwing bottles at parked cars while wearing a cardboard box on his head, has landed him behind bars.

James Robert Cowie is facing his potential first prison sentence for the drunken escapade on December 23 last year.

Durham Crown Court was told he walked into the detached garage alongside the garden of a house in Wingate, at 11.10am.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said Cowie appeared to have gained access by walking through the garden gate and into the garage, where he began a conversation with the male resident.

Mr Baker said Cowie appeared agitated and told the startled man that he had just, “sparked out a hard man from the village.”

“The man formed the view that he was either drunk or under the influence of a substance.”

When Cowie picked up a claw hammer in the garage and began swinging it, the resident became increasingly concerned at what might happen.

Cowie said the hammer was his and he was keeping it, demanding that the householder give him £500.

Mr Baker said on being told he did not have that amount, Cowie told him: “What, you live in a massive house and don’t have £500?”

Cowie then placed the hammer in his trousers and grabbed the keys to the Hyundai car which was in the garage.

The householder ran into his home to ring for the police while his wife went to drive her car in front of the drive way to prevent Cowie leaving in the Hyundai.

Mr Baker said Cowie was later seen with a cardboard box on his head, outside a Co-op store car park, where he threw two bottles, one of which hit a car, causing £150 worth of damage.

Cowie then went to the home of his girlfriend’s mother, who was so concerned at his behaviour that police were called.

Cowie, 20, of Oak Road, Easington Colliery, admitted a charge of robbery.

Neil Bennett, for the defendant, told the court: “He tells me that on this day he was significantly affected by drink.

“He has had some mental health difficulties, but it had nothing to do with him not taking his medication or other substances, and there has been no incident since.

“Whatever his mental health problems, they have never given rise to offending.”

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned sentencing to allow for preparation of a background report on Cowie by the Probation Service and to allow the victim to make an impact statement.

Remanding Cowie in custody, prior to sentence, on March 2, Judge Prince told Mr Bennett: “I hope Mr Cowie appreciates he must expect to receive a custodial sentence for this bizarre behaviour.”