A MAN has been fined after being found guilty on puncturing the tyres of a colleagues' car.

Nigel Bowen, 51, currently residing at a hotel in Newtown, was sentenced at Welshpool Magistrates Court after being found guilty of criminal damage during a trial there last month.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Bowen failed to attend his trial and was found guilty in his absence.

She said that in June last year, the victim parked up at the Garthmyl Hall car park and when she returned to her vehicle the following morning, found that all the tyres had been damaged.

CCTV showed a male climbing over the fence to the hall, from which Bowen was identified by the victim as they were known to each other through work.

When spoken to by the police, Bowen claimed he had been at home all night but examination of his phone traced him to that location at the time the damage was done.

On the next occasion he was spoken to, he provided a prepared statement saying he had been in the area but had been driving.

Michael Horne, defending, said the reason Bowen did not attend his trial was due to anxiety and nerves.

He said: "He was not able to put forward his evidence in defence. The reason he told police at the outset that he was at home was because his partner is severely disabled.

"When she fell asleep sometimes he would leave the property to drive and clear his head, and was worried that if she woke up and found he was not at home she would kick him out - and that is what has happened. He has lost his home over this.

"During the trial the complainant did say she could have been mistaken. He had no opportunity to cross-examine the complainant.

"He denies the offence, he still maintains his innocence and he has been unwell because of the trial and the stress."

Mr Horne added that Bowen worked in social services and was "a responsible person and is deemed to be such in his employment", but had a dispute with the victim.

Glowing character reference were also read out on Bowen's behalf before a report from the probation service which said he still maintained his innocence and had no reason to carry out the offence.

Chair of the magistrates bench, Dr Rachel Jones gave Bowen a £180 fine, and ordered him to pay £324 in compensation to the victim for the damage to the tyres.

He will also pay a £34 victim surcharge, and because there was a trial, court costs of £650.