A HEYBRIDGE teen went on a drunken rampage through Maldon High Street, crashing a car three times and assaulting a witness, a court heard.

Clint Walton, 18, of Mercury Place, Heybridge, drove his mother’s Audi A1 through the High Street while drunk.

After colliding with a bollard and another vehicle, he then attacked a man on the street, before getting back behind the wheel and crashing a third time at the Rose and Crown pub.

Walton admitted taking the vehicle without consent, battery and GBH and was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court last Thursday.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said: “On April 16 last year, the defendant attended his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary party in Hatfield Peverel.

“He had too much to drink and it was agreed that it was in the best interest of everyone for him to go home. Arrangements were made to get him back to the family home.”

Back at home Walton, 17 at the time, decided to take the keys to his mother’s car and get behind the wheel. A friend, who had accompanied him from the party to his home, tried to talk him out of driving.

However, Walton grabbed her arms, pulled her into the car with him and drove off towards Maldon High Street where he hit a kerb.

Gair continued: “The car stopped and the passenger tried to get out, opening the door and putting her foot out.

“As she did, the defendant drove forward, crashing into a bollard. The movement and force of this caused the door to slam shut on her ankle, causing it to fracture.

“She fell out of the car and was on the floor in significant pain. The defendant reversed and drove across the road, in doing so crashing into an occupied Mercedes coming the other way.”

The court was told how witness James Perrett tried to get the registration number of the Audi, which had been driven to the Swan car park, on High Street.

Walton had left the car to come and collect his friend off the street. When he saw Mr Perrett he approached him, threatening to stab him with his car keys. As Mr Perrett turned to leave, Walton punched him in the back of the head, the court heard.

He returned to the car before heading to the Rose and Crown pub, crashing into a wall outside.

Police arrested him later at his home. He was over the limit, only had a provisional licence, and had no insurance.

Emma Nash, mitigating, said: “He is back living with his parents. They were disgusted with his behaviour.

“He accepts that he just needs to grow up and learn to control himself better. He has stopped drinking entirely since the incident.”

Recorder James Smith described the attack on Mr Perrett as “cowardly, unprovoked and unnecessary”.

He sentenced Walton to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 15 months.