A CLEANING services worker 'on a jolly' ended up having an expensive night out in Chester when he deliberately damaged a Premier Inn bollard.

Nathan Verity, 26, of Dalkeith Close, Kingston Upon Hull, pleaded guilty to damaging the bollard and to possessing cannabis.

When he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, November 2, he was fined £386.

Prosecuting, Adam Warner said Verity and his colleagues from Kitchen Hygiene Cleaning Services in Hull had gone to the pub on October 16 near the Premier Inn and were in a boisterous mood, on a jolly.

When they returned to the Premier Inn, Verity was seen to damage the bollard. Police were called and arrived at the hotel, where Verity and his friends were staying at room 30.

Officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis and it drugs were found belonging to Verity.

In police interview, Verity admitted leaning on the bollard, rocking backward and forwards before running up and throwing himself on to it, causing damage.

Verity had no previous criminal convictions.

Defending, Michael Gray said Verity had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and accepted he had taken far too much alcohol.

Appearing in court was 'a wake-up call' for him, My Gray added.

Chair of magistrates Jean Bamford said to Verity: "This was an expensive night of silliness."

Verity was fined £386 for criminal damage, plus £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

There was no separate penalty for the cannabis possession but the drug was to be forfeited and destroyed.