A DRUNKEN man who smashed the windscreen of a car belonging to the daughter of his ex-partner in a jealous rage has avoided custody.

Lawrence Coglan took out his violent frustration on the car after sending text messages to the woman telling her what he was going to do.

The 57-year-old then bombarded his former partner with abusive and threatening messages for more than a month.

Teesside Crown Court heard Coglan believed that the woman had started a new relationship with a man who was a funeral director, and sent an intimidating message relating to a bereavement she had suffered.

Other text messages suggested he was watching her as he would comment on the time she returned home and in another he issued a veiled threat, writing "ask (the man’s name) to get two boxes because you are going to need them" which left the woman terrified for her safety.

Jon Harley, prosecuting, said the pair’s year-long relationship had been on-off due to his heavy drinking and controlling behaviour. and came to a destructive end on February 5.

Reading from her victim impact statement, Mr Harley said: “She was left terrified by Mr Coglan’s behaviour, she is concerned about what he is capable of doing and doesn’t want to be alone in her own home any more.”

Coglan, of Fawcett Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking, criminal damage and breaching bail conditions when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

Martin Towers, for Coglan, said his client had spent ten weeks on remand and urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence.

Judge Howard Crowson said: “There was a row at the end of this relationship and you smashed a windscreen and then there were texts because you were drunk and angry – they were unpleasant and frightening.”

Coglan was sentenced to a three year community order.