Upset employee trashed former boss' vehicle

A disgruntled former employee caused hundreds of pounds of damage when he paint-sprayed graffiti on a car belonging to a professional tennis player and coach.
Blackpool Magistrates CourtBlackpool Magistrates Court
Blackpool Magistrates Court

Richard Johnson had lost his job as a web administrator when the tennis player victim had left his club, a court was told.

Johnson later used red paint to spray an offensive word in giant letters down one side of the club former pro’s Audi car.

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Johnson, 36, of Whittaker Avenue, Layton, pleaded guilty to causing £800 of damage to the vehicle.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said the victim went to his car, which he had parked overnight in Rathlyn Avenue, Layton, to find it defaced on April 15 at 8am.

An offensive word had been sprayed across the vehicle.

Police went to Johnson’s home and saw a can of red spray paint on the side.

Johnson admitted he had deliberately targeted the victim and sprayed his car.

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Peter Cave, defending, said his client had been a website administrator at a club the victim was attached to.

He told the court that when the victim left that club, Johnson’s job ended.

It was believed there had been some sort of family problem between Johnson and the victim.

Johnson said he was an alcoholic and added that had he been sober he would not have committed the offence.

Johnson was sentenced to pay £323 compensation to his victim, with £85 costs,by Blackpool magistrates.