A WINDOW cleaner who kicked a car containing children has appeared before York Magistrates Court.

The youngsters’ mother tried to steer round Michael Darren Judson as he staggered down the middle of James Street, said Geoff Ellis, prosecuting.

The 41-year-old shouted insults at the car and kicked it causing £450 damage.

“This was a rather shocking incident for the children,” district judge Adrian Lower told Judson.

“Who on earth wants to see someone like you in a drunken state putting the boot into a family car?”

Judson, now of Kingsland Terrace, off Leeman Road, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

He was ordered to pay a total of £284 consisting of a £150 fine, £100 costs and a £34 statutory surcharge.

For him, Harry Bayman said Judson had been drinking heavily in September 2020, when the offence occurred and had believed the car was too close to him.

He had been going through a difficult period.

He had suffered a family bereavement, the loss of his dog and had been homeless.

He had also had a cancer scare.

Now he had accommodation and was working as a self-employed window cleaner.

As he was sentenced, Judson called out: “I’ve stopped drinking.”