A disgruntled 61-year-old former volunteer threw paint at a Saffron Walden charity shop after he was dismissed.

Steven Rowlandson, of Goddard Way, Saffron Walden, chucked white paint over the window of the Oxfam shop in King Street on November 22, 2015.

He also damaged the inner tubes of staff-owned bikes with a screwdriver, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard today (Wednesday).

Prosecutor Tamzin Sharp told the court Rowlandson was found outside the shop armed with a screwdriver looking in and intimidating staff.

“He had been employed at the store and suffered alcohol problems before being suspended after he turned up for work intoxicated,” she said.

Sarah Steggles, mitigating, said: “He worked as a volunteer initially and then became a full-time volunteer but struggled with alcohol last June, having a relapse, and lost his employment.

“He has found himself isolated and depressed and he was resentful about the way he was dismissed.”

Rowlandson, who admitted two counts of criminal damaged and possessing a bladed article – the screwdriver, was ordered to pay £324 compensation for the damage to the window and inner tubes, as well as a fine of £120, £80 costs and £20 victim surcharge.