A 20-year-old man who smashed a window at a Gloucester nightclub has been ordered to pay compensation for the damage he caused.

At Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday (November 28), prosecutor Cathy Thornton explained that on October 1, 2022, two police officers were on foot patrol in the city centre when they heard a loud bang coming from the Eastgate area.

"On arrival at Club Urban, the scene of the incident, the officers were told by the venue's manager Mr Singh, that the culprit had been identified as Chey Merry of Sycamore Walk, Brockworth. Merry was then immediately arrested.

"The police obtained CCTV of the incident and it showed that an item had been thrown at the club's door, causing it to smash."

The court was told that Merry had previously been convicted of a number of motoring offences, which included dangerous driving that resulted in a 12-month community order during which he had to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Tim Burrows, defending said: "Merry accepts he caused damage to the glass door window. He was aiming to throw something at the wall, but he missed and smashed the glass instead. He was given 'a warm welcome' for his sins by the security officers on duty at the club.

"Having been bailed by police to attend this court on October 18, he wasn't organised enough to attend. A warrant was subsequently issued and is why he appears in the dock today (November 28)."

Merry pleaded guilty to the criminal damage of a window belonging to Club Urban on October 1, 2022, and failing to attend court on October 18, 2022, having been bailed by police for the original incident.

Presiding Justice Mike Stayte told Merry that the magistrates had listened to everything that had been said on his behalf and that his sentence would be a compensation order to Club Urban of £150 and that he would be fined £30 for his non-appearance at court on October 18.

The magistrates did not make any order for court costs or a victim surcharge.