A FORMER call centre worker escaped prison yesterday after causing more than £10,000 worth of damage to his ex-workplace during a drunken rampage.

Christopher Conlon, 22, vented his fury at the Orange call centre, in Peterlee, County Durham, after a poor reference from the firm caused him to lose another job.

Peterlee magistrates heard that Conlon drank six pints of lager and half a bottle of vodka before arriving at the centre, on the Bracken Hill Industrial Estate, armed with a sledgehammer on November 14 last year.

He attacked the building, smashing 14 windows and a glass door, before security team leader Paul Richardson rushed to stop him.

Recognising Conlon, of Sherburn Hill, near Durham City, who he had escorted to a disciplinary hearing the previous week, Mr Richardson tried to restrain him.

The court heard that Conlon was initially abusive and swung the sledgehammer over his head before calming down and expressing remorse. Mr Richardson grabbed him by the midriff and held him until the police arrived.

Shirlie Dickworth, defending, said that after losing his job at Orange due to a drink problem, Conlon had secured employment with rival mobile phone firm T-Mobile.

She said: "Having taken action to get that job, his world came crashing down when the offer was withdrawn because of the reference by Orange."

After he admitted causing criminal damage, Conlon was given a 100-hour community punishment order, a 12-month rehabilitation order, and told to pay £750 compensation.