A WORLE teenager narrowly avoided being sent to jail after committing seven crimes in six weeks.

John Wookey, aged 18, committed various offences including spitting at his aunt and a police officer, assaulting a man at McDonald’s and smashing a window at the Sovereign Shopping Centre.

Magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse heard that Wookey damaged two garden fences in Weston on March 12, causing more than £500 worth of damage.

On April 16 he assaulted Matthew Tupper at McDonald’s in Weston then, two days later, used violence to force his way into his aunt’s home in Hopkins Street.

While being he arrested he spat at his aunt Louise Thompson, hitting her and a police officer. On April 27, he smashed a window at the shopping centre, causing £142 worth of damage.

Wookey pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage, two of common assault, one of using violence to get into a premises and one of assaulting a constable.

Sue Baker, defending, said Wookey was kicked out of his parents’ home in January and due to problems with cannabis and alcohol is susceptible to ‘impulsive outbursts’.

Chris Barke, chair of the bench, told Wookey during sentencing that he had been ‘very close’ to being jailed.

Wookey, of Perrymead, was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Tupper and £602.56 to cover the damage he caused. He will also pay a £60 victim surcharge and was handed a 12-month community order with a four-month curfew.