South Yorkshire man fined after smashing window of ex-partner's home

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on February 27 how Lee Malton, aged 34, of Pingles Crescent, Thrybergh, Rotherham, smashed a window at his ex’s address so he could reach inside and open a door.

Mark Hughes, prosecuting, said: “The defendant said the relationship had broken down due to him messaging other girls on social media and his partner found out.”

Malton drove by his ex-partner’s home, according to Mr Hughes, and noticed the curtains were closed and he thought this was odd because they are not normally shut and he tried ringing and saw a head pop-up at the property.

Mr Hughes said Malton’s ex told him to go and the defendant suspected she was hiding something and started to kick the back door.

Malton got a hammer from the shed, according to Mr Hughes, and used it to make a hole so he could reach inside and open a door and he found a male in the property.

He pleaded guilty to using violence for the purpose of securing entry to a premises after the incident in January.

Khateeb Riaz, defending, said Malton had still been staying at the property in Rotherham during the week despite the break-up.

He added: “He went to the address and when she did not open the door he lost his temper and he smashed a small window to get inside.”

Magistrates fined Malton £180 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.