A DRUNK son was so worried his mum's West Mersea home would be damaged by floods that he went to help her evacuate - but ended up throwing a plant pot through her kitchen window.

Kirk Kavanagh had been drinking when he got into a taxi to his mum's home, in Windsor Road, on January 12, after hearing many homeowners on the island had been told to evacuate due to a dangerous tidal surge.

But when the drunk 28-year-old arrived, his mum would not let him him.

Jobless Kavanagh, who can't remember arriving at his mum's home, then began shouting and picked up a plant pot and threw it through the kitchen window, causing £150 damage.

When the police were called, Kavanagh was arrested.

Suited Kavanagh, of Berkley Close, in Colchester, admitted criminal damage when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Evelyn Hick, mitigating, said: "He has been struggling with alcoholism for years and is prone to relapses.

"On this occasion, he had heard parts of Essex were being evacuated because of floods and high tides.

"He travelled to Mersea because he was going to see if she was being evacuated and, if she was, to invite her to stay with him.

"He remembers nothing because he was so drunk.

Mrs Hicks added: "He accepts his mother was going to be scared and he realises he threw something through the window.

"He accepts all of that and is seeking help."

Kavanagh attends meetings at addiction charity, Open Road, as well as Alcoholics Anonymous is also set to enter rehab in Harlow next week.

Magistrates fined Kavanagh £80 and ordered him to pay £150 compensation to his mother.

He must also pay £85 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

The £345 total must be paid within 28 days,

Kavanagh was also banned from contacting his mother for six months.