War veteran: Arthur Townsend, 92, supported himself with his Zimmer frame at Basildon Magistrates’ Court as he admitted criminal damage . A 92-year-old Second World War veteran has avoided jail despite pouring paint stripper over a van owned by a female friend's son because of the way he treated her. Arthur Townsend, who lives in a care home in Epping, Essex, poured the product over a Mercedes Sprinter belonging to Martin Carter - the son of his friend Olive Carter, 96. Townsend carried out the attack after becoming angry with Mr Carter, who he believed was making his mother stay at home to sign for packages relating to his online business. The retired antiques restorer was given a lift in a car to Mr Carter’s address where he dumped the brown-coloured paint stripper on the van, causing more than £2,000 of damage. Townsend - of previous good character - was arrested and charged with criminal damage. He supported himself with his Zimmer frame as he admitted the single charge at Basildon Magistrates’ Court last Friday. Remi Alabi, prosecuting, said: ‘On December 18 last year, Townsend asked a friend if she could drive him to a local address. 'When Mr Townsend got into the car the friend saw a jar containing a brown liquid. ‘When she parked 40 yards away, she saw Mr Townsend in her rear-view mirror and he was emptying a jar of brown liquid onto the front of the van.’ The court heard the damage to the Mercedes van totalled £2,190. Stephen Sparkes, defending, said the veteran made a full admission during a police interview. He said: ‘One of the key issues is the complainant runs a company and his 96-year-old mother, Olive, was made to stay at the address to receive packages. Residence: Retired antiques restorer Townsend lives in this care home (above) in Epping, Essex. He carried out the attack after becoming angry with Martin Carter - the son of his friend Olive Carter, 96 . Vehicle: A file picture of a Mercedes Sprinter van - the model of vehicle that was damaged by Townsend . ‘Mr Townsend was not happy with the way her son was treating him and her. On one occasion Martin Carter swore at Mr Townsend. He resides in a care home and is of previous good character. 'He worked as an antiques restorer and he has known the claimant for 45 years.’ Mr Sparkes said that after Townsend’s wife died in 1995 he became good friends with Mrs Carter. He added: ‘Mr Townsend has done a lot for the family over the years. He has given them financial help and has restored antiques for them.’ Sentencing, magistrate Dorothy Hammond said: ‘For this offence we are going to go out of our guidelines. There is a quotation of damage but we have no reason to know that amount was paid.’ Townsend was told to pay Mr Carter £500 compensation and court costs of £85 at the hearing.
Care home resident Arthur Townsend poured it over Mercedes Sprinter .
He had become angry at Martin Carter, son of his friend Olive Carter, 96 .
Believed he was making her stay at home to sign for business packages .
Townsend admitted criminal damage and must pay £500 compensation .