A 21-YEAR-OLD Calne man with 91 previous convictions, who caused £900 damage to a neighbour's car, has been given a conditional discharge by a Crown Court judge.

Nathan Law, of Bishop Road, scratched the side and roof of a Rover belonging to Brian Broom.

But after hearing he had spent just over a week in custody Recorder Jeremy Wright sentenced him to the one year discharge.

Jason Taylor, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that there had been difficulties between the two men before the incident on August 26.

He said at about 11pm Mr Broom's son looked out of the window and saw Law walking past the car. He heard a scratching noise.

Mr Taylor said: "The father went out to investigate and saw Law walk by the car and scratch the roof. There were two scratches to the car to the side and roof."

He said the matter was reported to the police and Law was arrested later that evening. When he was questioned he denied the offence.

Law had originally pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and two counts of witness intimidation.

But on the first morning of the trial he admitted the damage and no evidence was offered on one charge of witness intimidation while the other was allowed to lie on file.

Sarah Regan, defending, said Law had been jailed by magistrates for another offence on September 4, and is due to be released from custody on December 12.

She urged the judge to consider the nine days he had spent on remand before being sentenced by justices and allow him to keep his release date.

She said Law suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a condition similar to autism, and had now been correctly medicated.

Recorder Wright, sentencing Law, warned him that should he break the order it was quite likely he will be jailed.