A teenager has been convicted of damaging a car after footprints found on the roof and bonnet matched his trainers.

Magistrates heard that damage totalling £850 was caused to the car.

Dylan Jordan Ritchie, aged 17, of Empire Terrace, Douglas, admitted property damage and will be sentenced on November 13 once a probation report has been completed.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court that, at 11.50pm on June 16, a woman who lives in New Road, Laxey, heard a noise outside her home.

She described it as a ’thumping on metal’ and looked outside to see a number of people running off.

Another neighbour reported seeing someone on top of the woman’s car.

Footprints were found on the car’s roof and bonnet which were later matched to Ritchie’s trainers.

CCTV footage showed him leaving the scene and getting on the bus.

He was arrested but gave a ’no comment’ interview.

Defence advocate Rebecca Cubbon entered a basis of plea on behalf of her client in which Ritchie accepted standing on the roof of the car but said that he had not intended to damage it.

Ms Cubbon said his client was wanting to make a fresh start and is looking for a job.

’He is not someone who wants to be on benefits for the rest of his life,’ she said.

Magistrates ruled out custody and the case was adjourned for the probation report to be compiled and for information confirming the cost of the damage to be obtained.

Bail continues.