AN ODIHAM man punched out the windows of his former partner’s car during an argument.

Stephen Palmer, of London Road, appeared in the dock at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court for sentence, having previously been found guilty at a trial, of criminal damage, using threatening words or behaviour and sending offensive text messages.

The court heard that Palmer drove quickly around the corner of Rodmel Court, in Farnborough, on October 7 last year, where his former partner Louise Rushton was waiting for him to pick up their three-year-old son.

Merenda Beckley, prosecuting, said the pair started arguing in the street, before pushing each other by Miss Rushton’s Land Rover Discovery.

Reading from Miss Rushton’s statement, she said: “He then grabbed hold of me and pushed me causing damage to the car.

“He then hit two of the windows, causing glass to go all over a child’s seat.”

A passer-by then flagged down a police car and Palmer was arrested.

Miss Beckley added that while on bail for that offence, Palmer, 49, sent two offensive text messages to his former partner.

Sinead Willox, defending, said the eight-year relationship between Palmer and Miss Rushton ended before the October incident, when, it was claimed, Miss Rushton had an affair with another man.

Palmer admitted that he had damaged the car windows, and was now living with his father in Odiham, she added.

District judge Philip Gillibrand sentenced Palmer to a total of 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work.

He ordered him to pay £700 in court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.