A MAN smashed through the door of his former partner's house with a sledgehammer, a court heard.

Ian Mark Schofield went to the home of his former partner, who is the mother of his son, Donna Baker, after hearing that her new partner had been taking his son to school.

Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting, said: "A man began smashing at the door with a sledgehammer while she was on the phone to the police.

"Police found the defendant at his home shortly after. He was bleeding from a hand wound."

Chris Bunting, mitigating, said his client was distressed at the prospect of being arrested in front of his son and lashed out at an officer - striking him on the shoulder.

"What was also causing him great concern was that a man, who she had met on the internet, had moved into Miss Baker and their son's home."

Schofield, 39, of Old Eldon Cottages, Shildon, admitted criminal damage and assaulting a police officer, before South Durham magistrates at Newton Aycliffe, yesterday.

He was sentenced to 21 weeks for assault and eight weeks for criminal damage - suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £50 to the injured officer, £758.82 to Miss Baker, and undertake 150 hours unpaid work.