A MAN who smashed a car wing mirror as he walked past was given a discharge by police on condition he wrote a letter of apology and paid £100 compensation.

Blackburn magistrates heard the letter was delivered but the money was not after Luke Raymond Volkert lost his job.

Volkert, 29, of Sussex Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £20 victim surcharge.

Alex Mann, prosecut9ing, said the car owner was in bed when she was woken by her brother just after midnight and he said her wing mirror had been smashed. He said he had two men walking down the street and one of them punched the wing mirror.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had written the letter of apology straight away but the loss of his job had meant he couldn't pay the compensation.