A CREWE man who smashed a front door window at his ex's home in a drunken rage has been ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Alexander Paul Johnson, 30, of Rockwood Court, Stewart Street admitted a charge of criminal damage when he appeared at South Cheshire Magistrates' Court.

Magistrates placed Johnson under an 18-month community order and told him to undergo 15 days of rehabilitation activities, including taking the 'Building Better Relationships' course.

Kelly Wilkinson heard a loud banging noise at her home in Stanthorne Avenue in Crewe as the glass was smashed in her front door on August 6 this year.

She told police that Johnson had returned to the property to claim back £90 she owed him, but then ran off after smashing the window.

Prosecutor Alison Warburton said: "Ms Wilkinson's relationship with the defendant was over. The estimate for the damage was £200."

Johnson's solicitor, Stuart Flood, told the court the dispute was triggered by money owed to the defendant and there was already some damage to the window before he lashed out.

"They had been arguing most of the day and then stupidly after having four to five cans he walked around at 11.30pm," said Mr Flood.

"He wants to move on. He has been trying to curb his drinking which has been a problem for some time. He says when he gets bored he gets frustrated and he drinks more."

The court heard the defendant had racked up 20 previous convictions for 35 offences and Magistrates' Chairman Gwyneth Edwards told Johnson: "You don't have the best record when it comes to losing your temper and this was in a domestic violence setting."

Johnson has to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95.