A teenager who banged on the door of his mother’s home with a hammer has been put on probation for 12 months.

Lee Benjamin Vanner had previously admitted two counts of property damage and one of provoking behaviour with the case being adjourned for a probation report.

The 18-year-old was also ordered by magistrates to pay £125 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Rachael Braidwood told the court that Vanner was asked to leave his flat at Mooragh Promenade in Ramsey on June 18 by his landlord.

He phoned his mother and asked to stay with her but she was said to have refused due to his past conduct and an incident with his stepfather.

However, Vanner cycled to his mother’s home but found the doors locked.

He began banging on the door and was seen holding a hammer.

The police were called and Vanner’s stepfather went to the door.

A neighbour reported seeing Vanner swinging the hammer above his head and swearing.

His stepfather went back inside, which prompted the teenager to start smashing holes in the door with the hammer.

By the time police arrived Vanner had cycled away but was later arrested.

Vanner, now of no fixed address, was put into a police van and was said to have been aggressive and spitting while he was being taken to police headquarters.

When interviewed by police he answered ’no comment’ to all questions and offered no account of what had happened.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate James Peterson described his client as a ’vulnerable young man’.

’He has problems at times managing his emotions,’ said the advocate. ’He found himself in the position where he feared he would be homeless. He apologises for his actions and is sorry for the hurt and distress he caused to his mother.’

Mr Peterson went on to ask for credit to be given for his client’s early guilty plea and said that Vanner had spent a total of 31 days in custody.

A probation report recommended a probation order as an appropriate sentence and Mr Peterson supported that recommendation saying that it would provide support for Vanner in the community.

Magistrates sentenced the teenager to 12 months probation for each of the three offences to run concurrently.