A MAN who kicked down the door of his former partner’s house while their child was inside has walked free from court.

Ishmael Thompson, 25, of Holbein Square, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage and using violence to secure entry to a premises.

He appeared before magistrates in Swindon on Friday to be sentenced.

Nick Barr, prosecuting, said: “The offence took place at the address where the victim, Kimberley Mobey, lives.

“She and the defendant were in a relationship for ten months, they have a daughter who was present at the time.

“The defendant travelled to her address in a car with two other men.

“Ms Mobey was upstairs plaiting her daughter’s hair when she heard an almighty bang downstairs – the whole door panel had been kicked out of its frame."

The court heard that the cost of repairing the frame and replacing the door came to £838.

Philip Hall, defending, said: “He was caught like some sort of emotional shuttlecock.

“The victim saw fit to tell his current partner that in an effort to improve relations between them that they had spent some time together.

“He feared that was an effort to sabotage the relationship.”

Sentencing Thompson, Chairman of the bench, Val Street, said: “We are going to impose a 12-month community order with 60 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

“This will be an opportunity for you and probation to discuss your anger management issues.”

He was deemed unsuitable to carry out unpaid work in the community due to being in receipt of disability living allowance.

Thompson will also have to pay £838 in compensation and £85 costs, the magistrates ordered that these should be deducted from his benefits.