A HOLBEACH trader is shutting up shop because the £1,500 window of Carolan Originals in Park Road has been smashed for the third time, Spalding magistrates heard.
The latest incident happened on December 23 when jobless Jack Fitzjohn argued with two other men in the early hours of the morning and struck the window with both hands.
Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, told the court: “He said initially he was drunk that night and couldn’t remember the incident but, on viewing CCTV, admitted the damage and causing it.”
Miss Ritson said she talked to the shop owner, Jean Watts, and found the window cost £1,573.45 to repair.
Mrs Watts had to pay a £250 insurance excess, bought materials costing £102 to have the window boarded up and estimated her loss of earnings at £250.
Miss Ritson said the window had been broken three times now – not all by Ftizjohn – at the same time of year and Mrs Watts is going to wind the business down.
The prosecutor added: “She tells me this was the straw that broke the camel’s back and she is going to close the business down.”
Fitzjohn (21), of Tolls Lane, Holbeach, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was conditionally discharged for a year. He must also pay £302 compensation to the shopkeeper.
Solicitor David Lee, mitigating, said Fitzjohn cut his wrists when he broke the window and described it as a reckless rather than intentional act.
Mr Lee said: “He didn’t go out of his way to damage this window.”