Brierfield man used hammer to smash up brother-in-law’s car

Zaffar Hussain had not been taking his medication before the outburst on July 25th. The victim, a taxi driver, ended up threatening Hussain with a child’s scooter to stop the vandalism.

Pennine magistrates were told how Hussain then ran off, still clutching the hammer. He was arrested and questioned and told police he did not know why he had done it.

Hussain (35), of Mansfield Grove, Brierfield, admitted damage to the Vauxhall Vectra, belonging to Abdul Farooq. He was ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation. The defendant was in breach of two conditional discharges.

Mrs Philippa White (prosecuting) said Hussain ran out of the house and started smashing up the vehicle. The victim and other family members were unsure of how to approach him as he still had the hammer. The defendant had a conviction for robbery and had previously been given a hospital order.

Mr John Nuttall, for Hussain, said he had little recollection of the incident. The defendant had a serious mental illness and had stopped taking his medication.

He had not been back in the community that long. The solicitor added: “Since the incident,he has gone to seek further medical treatment and his medication has now been changed.”