A YOUNG man took pot-shots with an air rifle at a neighbour s satellite dish as he was bored, Huntingdon magistrates were told last week. Daniel Liam Youthed, 21, of Sapley Park, Huntingdon, stopped when he realised there were people at home but on Wednes

A YOUNG man took pot-shots with an air rifle at a neighbour's satellite dish as he was bored, Huntingdon magistrates were told last week.

Daniel Liam Youthed, 21, of Sapley Park, Huntingdon, stopped when he realised there were people at home but on Wednesday found himself in court where he admitted criminal damage.

Azreen Mussa, prosecuting, said the air rifle involved had caused damage to a window frame and chipped glass in a window, as well as denting the dish. She asked the court to award the owner, Tariq Mahmood, of Norfolk Road, £600 compensation.

But Kevin Warboys, for Youthed, disputed the figure and said the damage was such that it was unlikely ever to be repaired.

Ms Mussa said Youthed had told police he had an air rifle but no pellets. But a search of his bedroom found the weapon in a wardrobe and a tin of pellets.

Mr Warboys said: "Pot-shots in a residential area carry hazards that will be obvious. He recognises the harm that might have resulted.

"He has had the air rifle for years and had not fired it for some time. He fired first at the fences and then, more dangerously, started to fire at the satellite dish. Windows were not the target and people were not the target. As soon as he realised people were there he stopped. He does not recall telling police any lies."

Since the prosecution had taken the £600 figure out of the charge, it was not an appropriate figure for compensation, he urged the magistrates.

Youthed also admitted a breach of a conditional discharge imposed last September for being drunk and disorderly in Newton's Court, Huntingdon.

He will be sentenced on April 16 after the court has read probation reports.