A DRUNK who smashed a door and bathroom window with a hammer has been spared prison after a judge said it was unjust to jail him.

Keith Mulraney, 60, went to the victim’s address in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, to settle a grievance.

He and another man were arrested by police in a drunken state after neighbours reported windows being smashed.

Harry Hadsfield, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court, that a hammer wrapped in a Sainsbury’s bag was used in the attack.

Mulraney, of Fosdyke Green, Middlesbrough, admitted criminal damage on June 27 this year.

Andrew White, mitigating, said he was provoked but had no intention of using physical violence.

He said: “He knows it was wrong and he is sorry.”

The court heard how the defendant had stayed out of trouble for 23 years until he was given a suspended jail sentence in November for dealing cannabis.

Recorder Mark McKone said he had been wrong to take the law into his own hands, but said he believed the offence on its own was not sufficiently serious to justify jail.

“It would be unjust to send you to prison because of the long period of time you have stayed out of trouble.”

Mulraney received a 12 month community order with supervision from the probation service.

The judge said he would pay £740 compensation along with a £50 fine.