Andrew Patterson, 41, of Elswick Road, Elswick, has been given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £300 compensation after pleading guilty to criminal damage. The incident occurred on July 20, when Patterson threw a rock at the victim's car, causing damage to the bonnet.
Dispute over leak
The court heard that Patterson lived in the flat above The Silver Dragon takeaway in Elswick. The takeaway's owner confronted him about water coming through their ceiling, but the leak actually came from a neighbouring flat. Patterson flew into a rage at being accused and threw a rock at the victim's car.
Police were called and Patterson was arrested nearby. He made limited admissions at the time and was suspected to be intoxicated, according to prosecutor Brian Payne.
Defence and sentence
Defending, Andy O'Hanlon said Patterson took exception to being accused of causing the leak. He added: "He has not been in trouble with the courts for a long time - he managed to turn his life around. He used to have issues with drink and drugs but he has tackled that. This was a fallout between the owner of the takeaway and Mr Patterson."
