A WIRRAL man who kicked and headbutted eight vehicles during a “night of madness” in Birkenhead has narrowly escaped jail.

Neil Connor Griffiths, of Union Street, Birkenhead, was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared before Wirral magistrates on Wednesday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to causing more than £1,500 worth of criminal damage.

The 19-year-old smashed wing mirrors and windows of five cars in Cressington Avenue on September 1 last year, as well as a further two vans and a car in Waring Avenue on the same night.

Laura Flynn, defending, told magistrates her client had been drinking heavily: “He had no recollection about what had gone on. He does not know what started it.

“When he woke up, he was very remorseful and apologetic.

“These people all suffered as a result of this one night of what appears to be madness.

“It is not something he is doing every night, he is not someone who has to get up and have a can for breakfast.

“It was one night of what appears to be complete madness on his part.”

Chairman of the bench, Christine Parry, said: “You damaged, as part of a spree, a total of eight vehicles without thought to the distress, inconvenience and cost to the owners.

“The bench has taken this offence very seriously.”

Along with the suspended sentence, Griffiths was also given a 12-month supervision order and must  complete 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was also told he must pay compensation to the owners of the vehicles, totalling £1,534..