Mistaken attack by louts on Darlaston family home

Lewis Haddock and Daniel Bull even returned to the property in Avenue Road, Darlaston, for a second time to cause more damage despite a police car being outside.

The 19 year-olds had been chasing another man, Liam Bedworth, who cut through the garden of Dorothy and Peter Ward's home to hide and escape. They wrongly assumed he was inside.

The pair from Tipton smashed a back window and a rock was put through the windscreen of their VW car.

Police were called after the attack on November 17 last year and while they were taking statements there was an "explosion" as the two front windows were smashed. Walsall Magistrates Court heard the patrol car was also damaged.

Bull, of Castle Road, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and Haddock, of Primrose Avenue, admitted two charges of criminal damage.

They were yesterday sentenced to eight weeks at a youth offenders' institute, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 80 hours' unpaid work.

The were each told to pay £482.50 to cover the costs of windows and excess for the insurance claim. They were also both told to pay £750 compensation and an £80 surcharge. Haddock was also ordered to pay an extra £200 for damage to the police car window.

In addition the teenagers were also given restraining orders from going into Avenue Road. In a witness impact statement Mrs Ward said she no longer felt safe in her own home.

Mr Wykeham Garsia, defending Haddock and Bull, said they had both previously been of good character.

Sentencing them, District Judge Michael Morris called them louts who had left a family in fear.