A MAN has appeared in court after having the most expensive game of football of his life.

David Abbott caused thousands of pounds worth of damage after he walked over bonnets and roofs of cars parked in a dealership in an effort to retrieve his ball.

The 20-year-old of Harrison Terrace, Darlington, appeared at the town's magistrates court where he pleaded guilty to five counts of criminal damage.

The incident took place at KW Motors on Whessoe Road on April 23 this year.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said the owner of the business, Kevin Walker, caught Abbott in his yard striking a Rover car. He detained Abbott while he waited for police.

Mr Maddison said: "He was walking on the roofs of vehicles while retrieving a ball.

"The ball had accidentally gone into the yard and he had gone into retrieve it."

Mr Maddison said the damage was estimated at £3,600.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said Abbott was a man of good character who had no previous conviction or cautions.

He said: "This occurred purely through recklessness rather than anything else.

"When the ball went over the fence he was elected to go and recover it.

"Imagine a compound pretty well packed with vehicles.

"He went on top of them rather than making his way around them."

Magistrates sentenced Abbott to a six month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £800 compensation at a rate of £40 a month.