Axeman in court

A MAN with an alcohol problem threw an axe at a porch for no apparent reason, a court has heard.

David Ross, 49, of Nayland Road, Felixstowe, admitted damaging a double glazed window on the porch.

Prosecutor Andrea Reynolds said the victim heard a crash in the early hours and looked out of his front window to see Ross going into the house opposite.

Ms Reynolds said: "He went over to the house opposite and remonstrated with Ross. The axe was thrown at a glass porch causing the glass to smash."

Ross also admitted a separate charge of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance on October 10 last year.

The court heard Ross crashed his 20-year-old Volvo into a chain link fence in Kings Fleet Road, Felixstowe, then ploughed into a wall.

He left the car at the scene but police inquiries led them to Ross' home address.

The offence put him in breach of a conditional discharge for drunk and disorderly behaviour on February 28.

Michael Stephenson, mitigating, said: "Things seem to have fallen apart for him in the middle years of his life and he is trying to get things back together again.

"He has terrible financial problems. He lost his job. He is a single man and a lot of his self-identity was connected with his work.

"None of these matters help someone who has a drink problem."

Mr Stephenson told magistrates Ross did know why the axe ended up going through the window.

He said: "There is no explanation."

The court heard the driving accident was not drink related.

Magistrates ordered Ross to serve 200 hours unpaid work in the community for driving while disqualified.

He was also fined £250 for not having insurance and six points were put on his licence.

Magistrates gave no separate penalty for the criminal damage charge after hearing Ross had paid the victim compensation.

He was ordered to pay a £25 fine for breaching a conditional discharge imposed for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Ross was ordered to pay £70 costs.