ONE of England’s finest sailors lost his cool and took a power tool to the car of his love rival causing £6,000 of damage.

Swindon magistrates heard on Friday that Ross Harvey, 30, of Britten Road, Swindon has taken part in the World and European championships, was No 1 in the Laser championships and has also done a lot of work teaching disabled children to sail.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage to an Audi A4 belonging to his former girlfriend's new partner in Southsea near Portsmouth on December 4 last year.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court that the victim was in a relationship with Harvey’s former girlfriend and that after breaking up from her Harvey had continually contacted her through texts and emails.

On the evening of December 4 police officers noticed Harvey walking down down the road where Harvey's former girlfriend lived with her new partner.

As the road was a dead-end the officers kept an eye on the road and went to investigate when they heard a power tool being used, Mr Ballinger said.

When they stopped Harvey they found him in possession of a power tool which residents of the street said had been used to cause substantial damage to the Audi.

Police found deep scratches on every panel of the car and on the windscreen.

Harvey was arrested and at the police station fully admitted causing the damage and said he was very sorry.

Harvey's former girlfriend told police she had ongoing issues with Harvey and was worried and scared whenever she thought about them.

Mr Ballinger told the magistrates that the damage caused to the Audi was estimated at £6,000 but as the car was only worth £3,000 that was the sum being sought in compensation.

Paul Cantrill, defending, said Harvey was of positive good character and had no previous convictions.

He had been upset when the relationship with his girlfriend ended, he had lost work as a sailing instructor and had been suffering from depression.

He had, however, put the matter to the back of his mind until he saw a picture of her and her new partner on the internet.

“He lost his cool,” Mr Cantrill told the court.

“He is an extremely talented sailor, has taken part in the World and European championships and was No 1 in the Laser championships.

“He has done a lot of work with disabled children, teaching them to sail.”

Sentencing Harvey to a 12-month community service order, chairman of the bench Natalie O’Connell told him he had to concentrate on working with the probation service on overcoming his problems.

He was ordered to attend 12 Rehabilitation Activity days with the probation service, to complete 40 hours of unpaid work in the community and to pay £3,000 compensation for the damaged Audi.

He was also placed under a 12-month restraining order to have no contact of any kind with his former girlfriend and not to go to her house or office.