Jealous boyfriend gets curfew after smashing a shop window in Bolsover

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard today, Wednesday, January 20, how James Spry, 30, of Roecar Close, Old Whittington, Chesterfield, had originally targeted a flat above a fruit and veg shop where he believed the man seeing his partner lived.

However, prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said Spry had thrown a bin which instead of hitting the flat struck the window of Fruit and Veg, on Town End, at Bolsover.

Mrs Allsop said: “An officer was on patrol after midnight and saw Spry holding a large bin with his back to the shop and then he threw it upwards and backwards towards the shop.

“The bin collided with the light above the shop window and Spry was approached and he picked up the bin and threw it again.”

Police revealed how Spry ran away but was stopped some distance away.

The shop owner said the shop window, a light and a sign were broken and the damage had created a knock-on effect for his business during a busy time.

Spry told police he had been with his ex-partner on December 5, last year, and she had left with “face on” and because she had previously told him she had been seeing another man the defendant went to Bolsover to locate him.

Spry, who has previous convictions for drink-driving and criminal damage, pleaded guilty to one count of damaging the shop window, lights and sign and to a second count of damaging the bins belonging to the Co-op.

Defence solicitor Kevin Tomlinson said Spry accepts the case against him but argued that he had only thrown the top of the bin at the shop.

Mr Tomlinson added: “The circumstances involve relationship issues and sadly they have been a significant factor in his previous court appearances.”

Magistrates sentenced Spry to an 18 month community order with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, a Building Better Relationships programme and a six-week curfew.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £924 compensation.