AN 18-year-old youth fired pellets at the window of his former girlfriend after their three-year relationship ended, a court was told.

Steven Louis Banks, of Berwick Road, Darlington was fined by town magistrates yesterday after he admitted criminal damage.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said that Banks went to his former girlfriend's home on December 5 to take his dog for a walk.

He was told to go away by her father. He returned with an air rifle shortly after 7pm when the father heard noises at the letterbox and to the upstairs windows.

Banks later disposed of the rifle.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said that Banks had struggled to come to terms with the end of the relationship.

Mr Hunsley said: "According to his mother, he has acted entirely out of character since the relationship broke down."

He had also threatened to harm himself.

Banks was fined £75, ordered to pay £50 compensation and £43 costs.