A WOMAN spray painted ‘nonce’ onto the “completely wrong car” as she attempted to target someone who had tried to break her windows.

The derogatory term had been spray painted across two vehicles in Seaton on May 24. The victim initially believed it had been done by a tenant he was having issues with.

Graham Tindall, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said CCTV footage revealed it was Diane Rawlinson, 39. She was interviewed by police and admitted the offence.

The court was told that Rawlinson, of Mitchell Avenue, Northside, Workington, had recent convictions for shoplifting.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He [the victim] initially thought it was someone else. He was given a name. He looked Diane Rawlinson up on Facebook.

“She admitted the offence straightaway.

“She has an issue with one of [the victim’s] family members. She found someone outside her house trying to break her windows. If she had rang police, they might have been able to investigate it.

“Stupidly, she took it down to where she knows the family member lives and gets the completely wrong car. She got the right family but the wrong person.

“She is fortunate that it has washed off and the costs are what they are and are not more significant.”

Mr Cooper said the defendant was usually before the court for shoplifting and this was a “very dissimilar” offence.

Rawlinson pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage to property under £5,000.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay £450 in compensation to the victim. Rawlinson must also pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.