A grandfather broke into his ex's home after getting "very drunk" and being turfed out of a Wetherspoons bar.
Anthony Williams, 64, acted in a "drunken brainstorm" by breaking into Michelle Smith's property, smashing three TVs and "wetting the bed". A court heard the former chocolate factory worker had downed five pints and four double Southern Comfort whisky liqueurs before he was "excluded" from a Wetherspoons.
So, he headed to Ms Smith's property in Wallasey, Merseyside, where he caused £1,425 of damage, on June 30 this year. Charge sheets at Liverpool Crown Court stated cans of cider and pair of shoes were stolen.
But Williams was spared jail despite admitting burglary and criminal damage, reports Liverpool Echo. The grandad was handed a 12-month imprisonment suspended for 15 months, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days, a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement and a restraining order, as well as being told to pay £1,500 in compensation.
Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: "Clearly, this had been a troubled relationship which is said to have involved violence and harassment. There had been occasions when you would be seen outside her place of work and send her letters.
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"What is clear is the relationship had broken down and there were difficulties running in both directions. Whether with anger, frustration, revenge or punishment, you smashed and damaged three of her televisions. There is a suggestion of some water on the bed and that you took property with you. You have got to 64 years of age without committing a criminal offence.
"This is offending which is out of character, no doubt driven by the emotions you were feeling at the end of the relationship and of course by drink. Now, when sober and having had time to reflect on what you did, there is genuine remorse.
"Those who break into somebody else's home commit an offence which is ordinarily so serious that they must go to prison. It seems to me that, looking at the facts of this case, I can draw back from that normal position. You have come very close to going to prison today. It is an offence that strikes at the core at people's homes and their lives."
The offences happened shortly after William's' three-year relationship with Ms Smith broke down. Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how she was in the Wetherspoons with her friends on the evening of June 30 when Williams, of Birkenhead, Merseyside, also arrived.
The defendant was kicked out of the bar as he was drunk, and then headed to Ms Smith's house. When arrested, Williams - who has no previous convictions - said he had initially gone to retrieve some of his belongings, but accepted having subsequently trashed the house where his ex lives with her young daughter. In a statement which was read out to the court on her behalf, Ms Smith said she was left feeling "extremely violated and scared" and "wondering what he is capable of".
Christopher Macmaster, defending, told the court that his client had worked at the Cadbury's factory in Merseyside for more than three decades before being made redundant last year. He added: "This is a deplorable incident, one Mr Williams is thoroughly ashamed of.
"He has never acted like this and he has never been before the court before. He had what could be described as a drunken brainstorm on the night in question - he was in drink and acted in a manner that can be described as utterly out of character.
"References speak of a caring family man who has been well liked in the local community throughout his adult life. He is someone who has been very honest with the specific issue which underpins this offence and the relationship, which wasn't a healthy one."
In addition to the suspended jail term, Williams was made subject of a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days, a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement and a restraining order, as well as being told to pay £1,500 in compensation.
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