AN 18-year-old Darwen man sought revenge on a scrap yard owner who was in dispute with his mum over a car she had bought off him.

Blackburn magistrates heard that as they made their way home from celebrating his 18th birthday, James Christopher Catterall and a friend went into Bury's Auto Salvage and damaged four different vehicles.

The court was told the owner, Glynn Bury, had originally valued the damage at £4,500 but had subsequently submitted a compensation claim for nearly £10,000.

Catterall, of Lightbown Street, Darwen, and Robert George Mitchell, 18, of Foxstones Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and were remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports.

Peter Wild, prosecuting, said there was an ongoing dispute between Catteral's mother and Mr Bury over a car he had sold her.

When Mr Bury returned to his premises on May 31 he found the damaged vehicles. Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Catterall's mother had bought cars off Mr Bury in the past and considered him a friend.

When she took the latest vehicle the arrangement was that she would pay when the sale of her house went through.

"Before that happened the engine of the car blew up," said Mr Church-Taylor. "Mr Bury was not happy to be blamed for the defects and said it was the way and manner in which she was driving that had caused the problem."