A Highworth man on bail for assault, stalking and criminal damage was said to have broken into his ex’s home – through the dog flap.

Marcus Bull was accused of breaking bail conditions banning him from contacting his former partner or going to her home in Windrush, Highworth.

But magistrates found him not guilty of breaching his bail, saying prosecutors had not proved the case against the 29-year-old.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard Bull was on bail having pleaded guilty last month to allegations of criminal damage, using violence to secure entry to his ex’s home, assaulting her and stalking her.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said his former partner claimed she had woken up after 4am on Monday, September 14, to hear someone walking up her stairs. She said she recognised the heavy breathing as Bull’s. By the time she opened her bedroom door, the only sign of the intruder was a glimpse of a black-soled trainer, which she believed belonged to her ex. She thought he had left the house through the dog flap.

Emma Hillier, for Bull, said her client had not been in the house. He was in his bed asleep when he was arrested at 4.50am. “He is very, very conscious of these bail conditions and he has not breached them since being granted bail.”

Appearing before the court via video link from Gablecross police station, Bull, of Park Avenue, Highworth, denied breaching his bail.

Magistrates found the case against him not proved and re-admitted him to bail. He will be sentenced for the original charges on Wednesday, September 16.