A MAN has been jailed for recklessly intending to destroy a woman’s property without lawful excuse while intoxicated in Barrow.

Stephen Anderson, of no fixed abode, was due to stand trial for one count of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 but changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial.

South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard the 40-year-old used a knife to intentionally damage the complainant’s door and a coat belonging to her valued at £190 on April 18 this year.

Anderson also used the knife to cause fear to the victim in the context of domestic abuse, the court was told.

The court heard the offence was committed shortly after the imposition of a previously imposed community order.

On June 4, magistrates reduced the length of prison sentence from eight weeks to six weeks due to the defendant’s guilty plea on the day of trial.

They said the offence was ‘so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified’.

Anderson was also made the subject of a two-year restraining order.

The order requires him not to approach or contact the complainant directly or indirectly by any means whatsoever.