A biker who attacked a car in retaliation for its occupants filming him has been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds in compensation.

Ethan Horton, 23, of Riley Drive, Runcorn, admitted attacking the Volkswagen Tiguan when it had stopped in Frodsham on April 24, 2022.

Horton pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, April 30.

Prosecuting, Lisa Maguire said Horton had been offered the opportunity to pay £300 compensation as part of an out-of-court conditional discharge, but the money was not paid, so the case had come to court.

The court heard it was on April 24, 2022 when Horton was travelling on a motorbike and passed the VW Tiguan. The occupants of the car noticed the motorbike and saw Horton was not wearing a helmet, and considered his riding to be dangerous.

They began to take pictures of the defendant, who spotted this and approached their vehicle.

Ms Maguire said Horton told the occupants: "You're a grass" and attempted to spit at the passenger, but the window was shut.

'Intimidating and aggressive'

He tried to open the car door when the VW was stationary. He then kicked at the wing mirror, damaging it, and went to the back of the car, damaging the rear wiper, and rocked the roof rack.

Horton circled the vehicle "a number of times" and the VW drove off.

The court heard £1,282.20 of damage was caused, and the victims believed Horton was "behaving in an intimidating and aggressive manner".

The female driver of the car was "shaking and crying" after she parked the car by Frodsham Cemetery, and had been left fearful of motorbikes approaching her car since.

Defending, Steve Coupe said it had been two years since the incident.

Horton had been riding an electric bike which did not require helmet use or insurance, but it was accepted he was riding it "excitedly" and, when filmed, "lost his head", although he did not accept he spat at the vehicle.

He accepted his behaviour was "unacceptable".

The £300 had not been paid as he had gone travelling with his partner for six months and had left the sum to be paid by his mother, but there was a breakdown in communication and the money was not paid.

The court heard Horton had accepted he should have been responsible for paying it himself.

Magistrates ordered Horton to pay £400 compensation, plus a £120 fine, £120 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.