Jamie Hort, 39, admitted two counts of causing criminal damage when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, having initially denied them.
The court heard how the defendant and his wife had been living in a States house in Rougeval, St Peter Port, and the lease was in her name. They had separated the previous week. She had gone out when the offences were committed and he was at home alone.
Police received an anonymous phone call late one night suggesting that a property was being smashed up. And when officers arrived, Hort had blood on his hands and a cut to his ear.
The house was in complete disarray and the only room not to be damaged was a child’s bedroom.
A wall-mounted heater had been ripped from its mountings and the oven had been pulled from its connections. Furniture had been thrown around and the damage had caused the electrical system to trip out so there was no power to the property.
Hort admitted causing the damage, saying he had had ‘a bad day’.
States Housing estimated that about £2,000-worth of damage had been caused.
Defending, Advocate Samuel Steel said his client, who had previous convictions, had been drinking.
He said that Hort wanted to pay for the damage but had no money, but he would be able to borrow some. He had already spent six weeks in custody, he said.
Deputy Judge Graeme McKerrell said the defendant had a poor record and it was not the first time that he had behaved in a similar fashion. He had shown no desire to accept help.
Given the time he had already spent in custody and the level of support from his employer, it would be possible to impose a community penalty but these were exceptional circumstances. Hort was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service as a direct alternative to six months in prison.
There was no award for compensation as the full cost of the damage had not been submitted. A restraining order was also imposed.