A MAN smashed the window of his ex-partner's front door so he could sleep on her sofa, a court heard.
Brandon McClay was arrested while he tried to nap after gaining entry to the flat of his former girlfriend, Melissa Potter, following a heavy drinking session.
McClay, 20, of New Inn Court, Cullompton, appeared at Exeter Magistrates Court on Wednesday and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
He was charged with criminal damage to the property at Greenway in Exeter valued at less than £5,000.
He had entered a guilty plea at an earlier hearing.
Prosecutors told the court that his former partner, who lives at the flat with the couple's young son, saw him making his way towards the property at about 5.30am on Friday, July 26.
The court heard: "She was of the view that he had been drinking and she did not want him in the flat."
He is believed to have gone away and returned a short while later and may have used a tool of some sort to break the glass panel.
The prosecution added: "By this point she was hiding in her son's bedroom. He seems intent in going to sleep on the settee, so she calls the police who arrive and arrest him."
Jeremy Harris, defending, said that McClay had vacated the property the previous day following an argument after Miss Potter decided she would like him to move out.
"He does take full responsibility for the offence and takes the matter very seriously and apologises for the stress it has caused to his ex-partner and his son. He is very much of the view that the relationship is over. He has moved on and his only real interest remains for their son, where agreements are in place. He sees his son on a regular basis and things are working well," said Mr Harris.
McClay is now living with his mother in Cullompton and since moving has lost his job in Exeter. The court heard that he is seeking alternative employment but due to his experience in outdoor leisure as a seasonal career it has made this prospect more difficult.
The chairman of the bench said: "To take it upon yourself to put fear into the young lady and your child is not behaviour one would expect – you have let yourself down really. You had the opportunity to show yourself some credit when you were on probation and have not done so. We are now told that you are remorseful but you don't come across like that."
"This is not only criminal damage but this is a domestic violence situation and is really unacceptable. We are going to make you work with the Probation Service by putting you on a community order for 12 months. You will get education training and supervision for 12 months. You must work closely with them and we hope it will help you to understand the action you have taken."
He was also given a restraining order, which denies him of any contact with Miss Potter, until the August 27, 2015.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60, which will be deducted from his benefits.
