Hunstanton teenager damaged cars after row with father, court told

A teenager in possession of a knife smashed the windows of two strangers’ cars in a fit of anger after a row with his dad, a court heard.

Billy-Ray Jenkins has been warned he could be jailed for the offences in Seagate Road, Hunstanton, where he lives.

Police called to reports of the damage found he had a 13cm cheese knife on him, Lynn magistrates heard on Monday.

Prosecutor Stacie Cossey said: “He told them it was for his own protection.”

In interview, Jenkins told police he had had an argument at home, got angry and left. He threw stones at the BMW and Renault.

He added he was drunk and didn’t know how the knife had got into his pocket.

Jenkins, 18, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage and possessing a knife blade in a public place on August 15 last year.

Andrew Cogan, mitigating, said it was unfortunate the magistrates had photos of the damage but not the knife and showed them an image of a similar one.

He added: “The so-called admission took place prior to arrest. My client doesn’t remember saying ‘for my own protection’.”

Jenkins had had a row with his father and was “not in the best of moods”, said Mr Cogan.

He added: “He has taken a strong line in addressing the underlying issues, the underlying issues being drink. He has not had a drink since August – a significant period of time for an 18-year-old lad.”

Adjourning the case until February 8 for a pre-sentencing report, chairman of the magistrates, Bill Hush, told Jenkins: “There is no doubt in our mind that you have crossed the custody threshold.

"Our recommendation would be custody. It’s up to the bench on the day whether they follow that.”