A CALL centre worker vented his fury against the firm who sacked him by smashing windows with a sledgehammer when he was given a bad reference.

Workers had to dive under their desks for cover when Christopher Conlon launched his sledgehammer attack.

The 22-year-old caused over £10,000 worth of damage after drunkenly destroying 14 windows and a door at the glass-fronted Orange Call Centre, in Peterlee.

Peterlee Magistrates' Court was told how Conlon was angry towards the mobile phone firm when he was sacked from his £10,800 job after three years.

The court heard how Conlon subsequently gained a job with rival firm T-mobile.

But Orange gave him a poor reference and the new job offer was withdrawn.

On November 14, after drinking six pints of lager and half a bottle of vodka, Conlon decided to take his revenge.

He took a sledgehammer and went to Bracken Hill Industrial Estate, where the firm is based, and began smashing windows.

The former call centre advisor admitted causing criminal damage.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said Conlon was seen by a company team leader swinging a large sledgehammer and hitting the windows.

Employees were forced to hide under their desks, although no-one was injured.

Shirlie Duckworth, defending, said: "He was frustrated and acted on impulse. This is not a man who goes around causing damage when he is sober."

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for the preparation of probation service reports .

Unemployed Conlon, of Sherburn Hill, near Durham City, was granted conditional bail.