A 21-YEAR-OLD man went "roof running" on parked cars as returned home from celebrating his son's birthday.

Blackburn magistrates heard Martin James Golden had left distinctive footprints on the top of two cars during what he considered at the time a "jolly jape."

Golden, of Leamington Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and asked for another charge to be taken into consideration. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said Gloria Thornton had looked out of her window after hearing noises at around 11.15 pm. "She saw three males and one of them, the defendant, was jumping on the roof of a car parked further up the street," said Mr Snape. "She could hear the three men shouting and laughing and when she went out with her boyfriend she discovered damage had been caused to the roof of her vehicle as well."

Miss Thornton flagged down a passing police car and was able to identify Golden to the officers.

"They found footprints left by Nike Airmax trainers which were the make and style of the trainers the defendant was wearing," said Mr Snape.

Kevin Preston, defending, said that when a birthday party for his son had finished the dads had gone for a few drinks.

"The high spirits he found himself in resulted in my client doing something he can't explain in any way other than a jolly jape, something that seemed a good idea at the time," said Mr Preston. "In the sober light of day he bitterly regrets his actions."