A MAN broke into a woman's empty flat and daubed an insult on a mirror after finding her in another male's bed, a court heard.

Kevin Smyth, 29, was said to have been so "full of anger" that he also tipped over a wardrobe belonging to the female during an incident in sheltered housing accommodation at Arnside.

At Carlisle Crown Court Smyth was sentenced having pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage in the early hours of August 27 last year.

The court heard that police were called to a disturbance at the sheltered housing block in the early hours of the morning.

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Smyth had been drinking alcohol with the female complainant and another male housemate. But at some time during the course of the evening he realised she had gone with the other housemate to his room. "He went and saw them in bed together," said Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting.

Smyth got a green pen, broke in to her room and wrote an offensive comment on a mirror. He was "full of anger" and tipped over the wardrobe.

In a police interview, Smyth said this was damaged as it crashed into a TV stand. He then went to the door of the other resident and kicked that before leaving and going downstairs. He was met by police who noted that he was intoxicated.

Smyth, of Ashmeadow Road, Arnside, had several previous convictions, the court heard. These included one, in 2003, for burglary causing criminal damage.

Greg Hoare, defending, said Smyth had accepted responsibility for the matter. "He pleaded guilty to the burglary at the plea and case management hearing, having admitted the offence in interview," said Mr. Hoare.
The court heard Smyth had been in custody since late August having initially been charged with a more serious offence. However, no further action was being taken on that allegation.
For the burglary, Judge Barbara Forrester sentenced Smyth to eight weeks in prison - which he had already served - and ordered him to pay an £80 victim surcharge.