Drunk South Shields man in shorts smashed ex-partner's door when she wouldn't let him in on cold winter night

Samuel Price, 26, booted it in anger when the women – the mother of his two children – refused him entry to her rented home in South Shields.

He had turned up in summer clothing after his own mother had asked him to leave her property – and he was forced to quickly look for alternative shelter.

Price, of Norfolk Road, South Shields, has now been ordered to pay the landlord £500 in compensation for his crime on Saturday, October 17.

Prosecutor Ben Woodward told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “The defendant was in a relationship for several years with this lady and they have children together.

“The injured party was at home with her children, and he was intoxicated and aggressive and he has tried to gain entry.

“He eventually forced entry by way of the rear door.”

The court heard Price was last in court for an offence in 2016 and has previous convictions for causing criminal damage.

Michelle Stonley, defending, said: “Mr Price pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. It’s no excuse but on that evening, Mr Price had had far too much to drink.

“About six weeks previously he had lost his father, which had hit him hard, and lockdown didn’t make things any easier.

“He had been on a zero-hours job which he lost last March.

“The loss of employment, change in his financial situation, lockdown and the death of his father, was all too much for him to cope with. He accepts that he was drinking too much.

“On that night, his mother asked him to leave, and he had nowhere else to go. He went out in his shorts and t-shirt, it was freezing that night.

“She didn’t answer the door, he accepts that he kicked the door. He is extremely embarrassed about his behaviour that night.

“The panel was able to be fixed back into place and is in a working condition.”

Price, who pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage, was also fined £80.

There were no court costs or victim surcharge.

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