A MOTORIST had his car vandalised while waiting at traffic lights in Darlington, a court was told.

Louise Sharp jumped onto the bonnet of the Saab near the B&Q store, in North Road, on the evening of April 10, prosecutor David Maddison told Darlington Magistrates’ Court.

Yesterday’s hearing was told how 21-year-old Sharp, of Grange Road, started screaming at the occupants of the car and damaging the windscreen wiper.

When the driver’s daughter, an off-duty police officer, got out of the car to try and restrain Sharp, the defendant lashed out and punched her in the chin.

No injuries were caused by the punch, said Mr Maddison.

Sharp, who was drunk at the time of the incident, was eventually restrained and arrested.

She admitted criminal damage and common assault and was ordered to pay £120 compensation, as well as being made the subject of a 12-month community order with supervision.

John Clish, mitigating, said Sharp had pleaded guilty despite having very little recollection of events.

He said: “She has written a letter to the owner of the damaged vehicle and fully accepts that he is naturally angry and despite being of limited means, she is making efforts to compensate the victim as best she can.

Distric Judge Simon Hickey told Sharp: “Members of the public are entitled to go about their business and not have you jumping on their cars out of your head in drink.”