A DRUNKEN teenager who smashed a tattoo shop window with a hammer after threatening its owner, cut his own face in the process and ended up with a scar.

Southend Youth Court heard the 15-year-old needed two stitches after breaking the glass.

The court was told the teenager was one of a group which visited the Blood, Sweat and Ink parlour, in East Street, Prittlewell, on August 8 last year.

The Grays youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was not there to get a tattoo and owner, Gary Wright, asked him to leave because he was drinking a can of strong lager.

On his way out the teenager, threatened to stab Mr Wright, then and then hung around outside.

The youth also threatened to stab the owner’s children, after the businessman told him “I’ve got children older than you.”

When Mr Wright told the youth he’d called the police, he hit the window eight times with a hammer.

Mr Wright said: “There were five of them and I said ‘can you leave?’ He started shouting and screaming.”

The youth was arrested a little later at the nearby railway station.

He told the magistrates it was the first time he been drunk. His lawyer, Stephen Sparks, said his client’s behaviour had out of character, because he was so drunk.

He added: “He was in and out of consciousness at the police station.

“He’s suffered himself. He has had to have two stitches and is going to have two permanent scars under his chin.”

He admitted criminal damage and was given a six-month referral order and ordered to pay Mr Wright £200 compensation.