A FATHER smashed a window to his estranged wife's house after being refused permission to see his daughter.

James William Irven, 34, of Chester Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to damaging the property, but said he had not intended to break the glass.

Hartlepool Magistrates' Court heard yesterday how Irven had gone to Turner Walk, in the town, to visit his daughter and to give her a present, but had been denied access.

The court was told he was hoping to rekindle relations with his wife after they had met days earlier at his mother's funeral.

Alan Townsend, mitigating, said Irven had telephoned his wife earlier in the day, on May 9, to ask if he could give his mother's jewellery box to his daughter.

He believed he had permission, so went to the home, but became frustrated when there was no answer.

He said: "He suspected someone was in, but could not gain a response. In frustration he elbowed the window. While he did not intend to break the window, he did break it."

Irven pleaded guilty to damaging the property and was fined £50, ordered to pay £25 costs and £50 compensation.