A VANDAL repeatedly defaced cars in a street because he was “stressed at work” and “fed up of being tailgated in his car”.

Lee Brewer, 38, of Burrs Way, Corringham, was caught drawing on cars in Church Park Road, Pitsea, after residents and police kept watch.

Residents, some in their pajamas, chased him down the street before he was caught by PC Marek Jaworski.

The court heard every Sunday evening, between December and May, someone was drawing black lines along the side of cars parked in Church Park Road.

Brewer admitted six charges of criminal damage at Basildon Magistrates’ Court and was fined £167 and ordered to pay a total of £300 compensation.

The court heard he was caught on a CCTV camera set up by residents, while PC Marek lurked in plain clothes patrol.

Dee Kaur, defending, told the court Brewer could not explain his actions, adding: “He is thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.

“When I asked him why he did it, he told me he was under a lot of stress at work and he was doing three people’s jobs and was frustrated with being tailgated as he drives in Basildon.”

Brewer was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and £20 victim surcharge.