RAF MILDENHALL, England — An airman stationed at RAF Lakenheath, who was “very, very drunk” last fall when he used a tractor to cause more than $20,000 in damage to a farmhouse and workshop, will pay restitution and serve a community service sentence for his actions, according to a report in a local weekly newspaper.

Mark Nicholas, 22, admitted two charges of criminal damage involving property at a farm in Kenny Hill and to a television set in a nearby house where he had been attending a party earlier on Aug. 25, 2003, according to a report in the Mildenhall Journal.

Nicholas appeared in Bury Crown Court recently where he was sentenced to complete 180 hours of community service and pay compensation of 11,561.04 British pounds (about $20,800). He was also ordered to pay 782 pounds (about $1,400) in court costs and 50 pounds (about $90) to the owner of the television.

No rank or unit was given in the report for Nicholas, who told the court he was unable to remember the incident.

“He has no recollection of his behavior, which could not be more out of character,” said Jonathan Seely, the airman’s attorney, during the court appearance, according to the report in the newspaper. “It’s clear he got very, very drunk, indeed. He knows it’s no excuse for such conduct and feels great remorse and huge embarrassment. He is most anxious to recompense those he has wronged.”

Seely said Nicholas, who had no previous convictions, had been under stress when he committed the offenses. His mother was seriously ill in America. His brother was suffering from a brain tumor. And a close friend had recently died.

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