A FORMER soldier who admitted causing criminal damage to a vehicle at the leisure centre car park in Porthmadog was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Dolgellau magistrates have heard.

Ian Wyn Williams, 41, of Trem y Moelwyn, Penrhyndeudraeth pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a VW Passatt on 9 November last year.

Tracey Willingham, prosecuting, said that the occupant of the car was shocked by the violence used by the defendant when he punched the dash board with his fist and caused £1,100 damage. He was then accused of kicking the door.

Hywel Davies, defending, said that his client was single and lived at home with his mother, who was in court supporting her son.

Mr Davies said that his client had not realised he was suffering from PTSD and had undergone treatment recently at Wrexham and Colwyn Bay.

He said: “My client had become dependant on alcohol, but that only made matters worse.”

Williams had served in Ireland prior to his medical discharge in 1999.

Mr Davies objected to an application for a restraining order stating that his client had now realised that he had a medical problem and was getting assistance.

The crown prosecutor however said that the car owner was frightened by the defendant's actions and wanted protection.

The defendant was fined £100 for criminal damage with £85 prosecution costs and £20 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £100 towards the compensation.

Court chairman Sarah Foskett imposed a six-month restraining order banning the defendant from going anywhere near the owner of the vehicle. Magistrates made an order preventing the identification of the car owner and her family.