A WOMAN who threw rocks through her ex-partner's windows on New Year's Day had been drinking excessively, a court heard.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard that Michelle Teasdale went to her ex's house to pick up her personal possessions but became angry when nobody answered the door.

Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said: "The incident is domestic in nature, the defendant's ex-partner was out and a babysitter was in the house when he heard banging.

"He looked outside and saw the defendant standing on the driveway throwing rocks at the windows. Two ended up being smashed and there was some further damage to a car when a window was also smashed.

"The defendant then walked off before she was detained by family members who called the police."

Teasdale, of Hammond Drive, Darlington, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage on January 1 and a further charge of failing to surrender to court for an earlier hearing.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said Teasdale was initially throwing the rocks to get attention.

He said: "She tells me there had been an argument on New Year's Eve and she had been, rather unceremoniously, put out. She was invited to a house party in the street where she began to pour her heart out and was encouraged to have a drink.

"She accepts that she drank to excess and took matters into her own hands when nobody answered the door."

Teasdale, 37, was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £200 compensation.