A WOMAN was left terrified when her drunk partner tried to smash his way into their home, a court heard today (Thursday January 9).

Darlington man Stephen Nicholas Tomlinson’s partner locked him out of the house when he arrived there intoxicated on Tuesday, December 24.

Tomlinson, 45, had been on a night out with friends when he was asked to return home by his partner, according to evidence heard at Darlington Magistrates Court.

When he couldn’t gain entry to the property, he became angry and – using an old bed frame – “completely destroyed” the door in an attempt to get inside.

Prosecutor Tahira Bourchier told the court the woman was present with her son and was extremely frightened and fearful about what would happen.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said the couple had been having difficulties ever since the woman’s teenage son moved in with them and, at the time of the incident, were having space from each other.

He said: “In the weeks leading up to Christmas they agreed to give each other some space but then he received a text message asking him to come round.

“He was out with friends and drinking and she did not take kindly to that. His blood was up and combined with alcohol, that is why he took his frustrations out on the door.

“It was a completely inappropriate reaction and disproportionate in the circumstances.”

Tomlinson – of The Broadway, Darlington, was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.