A LODGER who "howled like a wolf" while destroying a friends' house while stripped to the waist has admitted criminal damage, despite saying he has no memory of the vandalism.

Jack Cooper, 32, had been staying with a pal in Jade Gardens, Colchester, and was spotted by neighbours coming in and out of the rear doors,throwing kitchens items around and smashing them.

He admitted criminal damage when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Prosecuting Lucy Miller said: "Police officers were called to the address after reports of a disturbance.

"Residents said they saw a topless man throwing household items around and going in and out through the rear patio doors.

"They heard bangs, crashes and the sound of breaking glass - they also described him as howling like a wolf.

"When officers entered the property they saw it was in a substantial amount of disarray."

Items including a dishwasher, dinner set, crockery and other household items were damaged in the incident which occurred on October 13 last year, just after 10.15pm.

Cooper initially claimed to police he was not at the address at the time, and was out drinking in Colchester town centre.

Gareth Hunter, mitigating said: "He cannot remember anything about it and has not even had any flashbacks to it.

"He did drink on the night but did not think he had too much and he tells me he does not take drugs.

"This has caused great trouble in his family because the house belongs to his brother's best friend.

"The complainant was originally supposed to be best man at his brother's wedding but that did not happen.

"He had come here for a fresh start as as self employed labourer but has since returned home."

District judge John Woolard adjourned the sentencing of Cooper, who lives in Flowerpot Lane in Long Stratton, Norfolk, for four weeks for a pre-sentence report to be obtained from the probation service, and to allow the amount of damaged to be totalled so he could create an appropriate compensation order.

Cooper was given unconditional bail.