MERCEDES Benz driver Jack Cripps, of High Street, Wellington, threatened to blow up a hand car wash because he did not think staff were cleaning his vehicle properly.

Cripps, 30, who is said to have described himself as ‘a posh boy gone bad’ lost his temper with staff at the Hand Car Wash in Wood Road, Ashill, threatening to smash one worker in the face and telling the manager he would ‘explode’ the car wash.

Harry Ahuja, prosecuting, said Cripps had flown into a rage while the wheel arches were being cleaned and after shouting at a member of staff he had driven off. But he reappeared moments later, telling the victim: “I will smash you in the face. I will explode this car wash. It won’t be here anymore.”

Cripps pleaded guilty to charges of threatening behaviour, driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance at Taunton Crown Court.

The court also heard that the offence had been carried out on December 18, while he was on suspended sentences for theft and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Defending, Paul Light, said Cripps had been ‘very candid’ about what he had done.

“He knows the position he’s put himself in,” he said. “In his own words, he is a ‘posh boy gone bad’ but now he is trying to put his life back in order.”

Sentencing him, Judge David Ticehurst said: “Did you think you were better than the man who was working on your car? He’s not cleaning it the way you like it, so you hurl threats and abuse at him?”

“I was completely out of order,” Cripps said.

“Why did you behave in such a boorish manner?” the judge wanted to know.

“I don’t know, Sir,” he responded. “I was an idiot.”

Giving him a 12-month community sentence in which Cripps must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, six points on his license and ordering him to pay £250 compensation and £150 costs, Judge Ticehurst said: “Please behave sensibly in future. You’re just wasting everyone’s time. Act like a decent member of society, not a stroppy teenager.”