A MAN who caused thousands of pounds of damage in a tyre-slashing spree has been placed on a probation supervision order.

Phillip Holt, 23, of Kingsley Avenue in Lockwood, pierced 18 tyres on May Street, Crosland Moor, at 4am on Sunday, June 27.

He had been charged with 18 counts of criminal damage and one of carrying a bladed article.

He pleaded guilty on July 9. Sentencing him yesterday, District Judge Hopkinson said he could not ask for compensation because the amount split among the victims would be so derisory as to add insult to injury.

The court heard Mr Holt began drinking heavily after the death of his mother, who had died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage.

Defending him Marnat Ali said: “He began consuming vast amounts of alcohol on a daily basis. His recollection is limited, he blacked out and cannot remember a significant amount of that night.”

Imposing a 12-month supervision order with an alcohol awareness treatment requirement, District Judge Hopkinson said costs of £85 must be paid in £5 installments, adding that once divided a compensation amount would be an insult to car owners.