FURIOUS that his girlfriend stopped him from going out to get more alcohol, Christian Downey grabbed a baseball bat and smashed three of her car windows. She had refused to hand over his van keys, so he took the weapon from a cupboard beneath the stairs a

FURIOUS that his girlfriend stopped him from going out to get more alcohol, Christian Downey grabbed a baseball bat and smashed three of her car windows.

She had refused to hand over his van keys, so he took the weapon from a cupboard beneath the stairs and launched the attack - and a petrified Michelle Elms called the police.

Ms Elms watched out of her window as Downey hit the windows of her car. Officers discovered Downey had smashed two offside windows and the windscreen of her Peugeot 106, Fenland magistrates were told by prosecutor Nicola Ebbs on Tuesday.

Downey told police he had woken up in a bad mood that day, and started drinking.

He asked Ms Elms to hand over his van keys so he could get more alcohol, but she refused.

"He threatened to put the windows through on her vehicle," said Miss Ebbs. "He went to a cupboard under the stairs, and grabbed her son's baseball bat. He was shouting, and she was scared, and went upstairs to call the police."

Representing himself in court, Downey said his behaviour had been terrible, he regretted the incident and was prepared to pay for the damage.

Downey, 34, of Fourth Avenue, Wisbech, admitted causing criminal damage on July 19 and was fined £150 with £55 costs. He must also pay £250 compensation.