A PAINTER and decorator blamed his dog having cancer as the catalyst for abusing a delivery driver and causing serious damage to his Toyota Yaris at a car park, an Isle of Wight court was told. 

Simon Dalley admitted causing criminal damage to a car, at the Co-op in Ryde town centre, on the evening of December 17 last year.

Out of the blue, Dalley launched a tirade of verbal abuse at delivery driver Adelin Spirea, as he walked away from his vehicle towards the supermarket.

Dalley, 34, then inexplicably began punching and kicking Mr Spirea's Yaris — damaging the mirrors and doors, before ripping out his stereo inside the car, said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Police apprehended Dalley at a nearby kebab shop 25 minutes later. He caused £1,500 to the car.

In his statement, read to the court, Mr Spirea said: "It affected me a lot. I was afraid to work anymore. When I woke up I was scared and had bad dreams."

Dad-of-two Dalley was convicted of being drunk and disorderly in 2020 and last year.

"He was drunk that night and the damaged caused was unprovoked," Miss Miller added.

For Dalley, Oscar Vincent said his client showed remorse for his actions and a willingness to pay for the damage caused.

"Following his last conviction for being drunk and disorderly, he had kept off alcohol for quite some time — until the end of last year," said Mr Vincent.

"The circumstances leading to his offending was his poor state of mind, associated with the dog he had for 11 years, diagnosed with cancer and had to be put down.

"It affected him emotionally and he admittedly made the wrong decision to consume alcohol, which he struggles with, as a coping mechanism."

Through Mr Vincent, Dalley said the victim did not deserve what happened.

Magistrates ordered Dalley to pay compensation £1,750 to Mr Spirea for the damage and anxiety caused.