A MOTHER broke down in tears as a court heard how she smashed a window at her estranged husband's home with her riding boot.

Jayne Harrison was shouting and swearing as she took off her footwear and threw it at the window, Darlington Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

She was upset because she had not seen her children over Christmas, after she and her husband separated, the court heard.

The 41-year-old had found out her husband's new address and went to the property on December 30, said David Maddison, prosecuting.

After she entered the property, a disturbance broke out and she was ushered out by her husband after she knocked over a lamp and some golf clubs, said Mr Maddison.

The door was locked behind her.

Mr Maddison said Harrison then became abusive, before taking off her boot and throwing at the window, smashing it.

Ben Pegman, in mitigation, said Harrison, of Marazion Drive, Darlington, was of previous good character and had been very upset by the breakdown of her marriage.

He said she had gone there with the intention to see her children and had never intended to cause damage.

"It has been extremely messy, " he said. "It has affected her very badly."

He said the damage had been an accident.

Harrison, who broke down in tears several times during the hearing, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Magistrates gave her a 12-month conditional discharge for the criminal damage and ordered her to pay £85 costs.