OFFICERS who thought they heard construction machinery whilst they were attending a 999 call-out turned round to see a man jumping up and down on the roof of a police car.

Ian Tyson, 35 appeared before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he admitted damaging the police car on October 22.

The court heard how he had been 99 days sober and was in the job centre when he received a phone call to tell him a relative had died.

Court – Ian Tyson appeared before magistrates in Colchester on TuesdayCourt – Ian Tyson appeared before magistrates in Colchester on Tuesday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) He then got drunk and started jumping on a police car he saw parked in Hythe Station Road.

Officers thought the noise was construction machinery and turned round to see Tyson jumping on a police car roof, shouting at him to stop.

He then stepped onto the bonnet, and jumped off the car before he reached to collect shopping bags he had left on the pavement.

Serena Berry, prosecuting, said Tyson caused several dents on the roof and bonnet, and left the car’s indoor lights dangling from their fixtures.

She said: “The police haven’t provided compensation details, but I do ask that you consider compensation in view of the damage caused.

“The defendant was interviewed and provided full and frank admission – he stated he identified the marked police vehicle and stated he was intoxicated and jumped up and down on the vehicle multiple times.

“Due to intoxication, he is unable to remember the whole incident.”

The court heard Tyson had one previous conviction of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place after an ornamental samurai sword was found inside his address in Handel Walk, Colchester.

Paula Fell mitigating, said Tyson made no excuses for his behaviour.

She said: “He has had a problem with alcohol in the past – it was his 99th day sober and he got some very sad news about the passing of a family member.

“He was at the job centre when he got the call – he says he left the job centre and got a drink.

Effort – Ian Tyson had been at the Colchester job centre when he received a phone call from a relative telling him a relative had diedEffort – Ian Tyson had been at the Colchester job centre when he received a phone call from a relative telling him a relative had died (Image: Google Street View)

“He was maybe trying to make some sort of point, but anyway… he was fully apologetic in interview.

“He’s very disappointed – he is trying very, very hard in terms of his sobriety.”

Sentencing Tyson, bench chair Margaret Macallen ordered him to pay £500 in compensation to Essex Police and further costs of £141.