Burglar smeared sauce on ex-girlfriend’s walls

Michael Hackney left a trail of destruction which the woman found when she returned to her Layton address on Christmas night.

Hackney had taken out his frustrations at the Newton Drive property over not being able to have contact with his daughter.

Hackney, 30, of Fayles Grove, South Shore, was jailed for six months by a judge at Preston Crown court.

He had pleaded guilty to breaching a non molestation order, burglary with intent to cause criminal damage, plus an offence of criminal damage.

David Clarke, prosecuting, said the couple had separated around March last year.

A non molestation order was made by the county court.

At about 9.30pm on Christmas Day the ex-partner returned home.

In a second floor bedroom barbecue sauce had been splattered against a wall and there was also writing.

One of the things Hackney wrote was “lucky your dog not dead”.

Words had also been scratched on a bedroom wall. Another message read “you die”.

Some of the woman’s clothing had been ripped up, causing £80 damage.

The court also heard that prior to those offences, Hackney had been dealt with for a separate breach of the non molestation order, again involving him going to her home.

Nick Courtney, defending, said the case was an example of a close relationship breaking down and how someone could react, particularly if children were involved.

Mr Courtney said: “He accepts the relationship is over and it seems he had prior to he offences.

“He does appreciate that if he wants contact with his daughter, it must be done through the proper channels”.

Judge Andrew Woolman told Hackney: “I appreciate your frustration at not having contact with your daughter, but the way you went about it wasn’t just wrong, it was threatening and nasty.

“Courts have to show they mean business when it comes to court orders which are meant to be obeyed”.

A restraining order was made for an indefinite period.