Hostel resident smashed furniture

TEENAGE hostel resident Nicholas Hanks smashed up the furniture in his room in temper following an argument, magistrates were told. He had been on the telephone to his grandmother when a hostel resident tried to pick a fight with him, and he broke a wardr

TEENAGE hostel resident Nicholas Hanks smashed up the furniture in his room in temper following an argument, magistrates were told.

He had been on the telephone to his grandmother when a hostel resident tried to pick a fight with him, and he broke a wardrobe and a set of drawers.

"There was a knock at the door from another resident who had been bullying him," solicitor Martin Newton explained to Fenland magistrates on Tuesday. "That resident tried to get my client involved in a fight, and he was angry that his grandmother had hung up on the phone."

The following day, 18-year-old Hanks, of The Staithe, Holmes Drive, Wisbech, admitted to staff he had caused around £100 worth of damage to the furniture. It was so badly broken that it had to be thrown out.

Hanks admitted causing criminal damage to the wardrobe and drawers, belonging to Stonham Housing, on July 6. He was given a six-month conditional discharge and told to pay £50 compensation.