A DRUNK man who went on a vandalism spree in Machynlleth told police that “you’re lucky I didn’t cause more damage”, a court has heard.

Christopher Jellett, 29, damaged windows, a door and a garden wall, and railings as he walked through the town in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.

Jellett, who pleaded guilty to four charges of criminal damage, was heard by a range of witnesses shouting and hitting and kicking out at items while he was drunk.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said all four instances of damage occurred between 12.30 and 1.30am, with the first incident happening at Machynlleth Police Station when Jellet, of Hafod, Commins Coch, near Machynlleth, was heard to shout that he would “take you all on” before there was the sound of a window being smashed.

Blood was found at the site by officers who later checked and they found two broken windows.

But Mr Challinor said damage was caused to a window of another property and the door of a third property.

He added that Jellett was seen by the occupants of a house where he had damaged railings and a garden wall, after they heard him shouting outside.

After opening the door to see what was happening, Jellett became abusive and ended up banging on the door.

Mr Challinor said that when the couple tried to calm Jellett down, he became upset and said: “You don’t know what I’ve been through. I’ve lost my missus. I’ve lost my house. I’ve lost everything.”

But despite apologising at the time to the couple, Jellett told police following his arrest that it was “lucky” he hadn’t carried out more damage.

During an interview after he had sobered up, Jellett said he couldn’t remember anything about the incident.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson said Jellet was very remorseful about the incident, but said things “were going very wrong in Mr Jellett’s life at this moment”.

She said he had recently split from his partner and was homeless at the time and had drunk heavily to try and forget his problems on the day.

Ms Hanson said Jellett was hoping that things would improve after he had sought help and was receiving counselling.

Jellett was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, but will have to pay compensation of £758 toward the cost of the damage. He will also pay costs of £170.