Father used baseball bat to smash into ex-partner's house

9:00am Sunday 17th August 2008

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A 30-YEAR-OLD Stroud father smashed his way into his former partner's home with a baseball bat after the relationship broke down, a court heard today.

Matthew Castleton, of Bisley Road, Stroud, heard that Katy Smith, the mother of his three children, was dating someone new, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

He got drunk and went round to the house, terrifying his children and the babysitter by breaking in with a baseball bat, the court heard.

Julian Kesner, prosecutor, said Castleton had been in a relationship with Miss Smith for 12 years until it broke down in January.

On March 24, Miss Smith went out and left a close friend – Megan Kinman – to babysit.

After phoning and not getting a response, Castleton drove to the house and smashed the glass of the front door with a baseball bat.

He smashed up furniture and the television, causing damage totalling £1,707.

Tim Evans, defending, said: "This is a very sad incident. That evening, someone mentioned that she was in another relationship. He was upset by that and foolishly went round."

Judge Hart said: "The victim of your behaviour was Megan Kinman and to a significant degree as well, your own children."

He sentenced Castleton to 40 weeks in prison but suspended it for two years and ordered that he complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

He also ordered that he pay Stroud District Council £1.200 at £50 a month, with two years to pay – the first payment being on September 1 this year.