Simon Hodgkins thought he was driving over a friend s front lawn – but discovered he had ruined a neighbouring garden. The father of six left a series of tyre marks over Donna Clarke s lawn after driving his BMW over the garden. He was mortified to find

Simon Hodgkins thought he was driving over a friend's front lawn - but discovered he had ruined a neighbouring garden.

The father of six left a series of tyre marks over Donna Clarke's lawn after driving his BMW over the garden.

"He was mortified to find out it was not his friend's garden, and he spent seven hours in police custody before finally being released," solicitor David Chapple told Fenland magistrates.

Hodgkins, 30, of Curf Terrace, Chatteris, admitted causing criminal damage to the lawn and plants in Cricketers Close on January 24.

Donna Clarke had been awakened in the early hours of the morning by the car, and saw two men and a woman outside a neighbour's home, said Nicola Ebbs, prosecuting.

"She noticed her lawn had several tyre marks across it and some of the plants had been run over by a car."

Ms Clarke estimated the garden would cost £230 to repair.

"There was a bit of horseplay that went on," said solicitor David Chapple.

"Someone stood behind his car, and to get away, as part of the joke, he drove across the lawn."

Hodgkins could remember driving across the lawn only once, but magistrates pointed out there were six tyre marks on a photograph of the damage.

Hodgkins has recently split up with his partner, added Mr Chapple, and was planning to apply for benefits.

He was given a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £55 costs