Addict Had Been Taking Drugs Before Smashing Up Partner's Home

DRUG addict Alex Hughes -- who was given a £5,000 detox implant earlier this year -- had been taking drugs before smashing up his partner's home, magistrates at Ely heard.

Jealous and frustrated Alex Hughes accused Victoria Bradley of seeing another man, then punched a hole in two doors and shouted abuse.

He also smashed a mirror, and damaged a bedside light inside Ms Bradley's Littleport home.

Twenty-five-year-old Hughes, of Fishers Bank, Littleport, had admitted causing criminal damage on July 20, and assaulting his partner Victoria Bradley on June 6.

At Ely courthouse on Thursday, magistrates ordered Hughes to undertake 80-hours of unpaid work; he will be supervised by probation for 12 months, and must pay £60 costs.

Prosecuting, Gareth Jacques said Ms Bradley came home on July 20 to find Hughes under the influence of drugs. Early the next morning he accused her of seeing someone else. She left the house, and Hughes sent abusive text messages.

Returning to the address, Ms Bradley heard Hughes banging around upstairs, and he made a punching gesture towards her. Hughes was abusive, and she discovered the damage.

On June 6, Hughes pulled Ms Bradley off a bed, causing her to fall on the floor, and kicked her leg.

In the past, Ms Bradley had encouraged Hughes to change his ways and tackle his drug problem, said solicitor Michael Judkins.

Things had been going well until Hughes lost his job; he became frustrated and lost his temper.

"For the first time in their relationship, his anger was directed at Victoria Bradley," he said.

The second incident was the result of Hughes' suspicion that his partner was seeing someone else.

Since the incident the couple had been talking, he said. Hughes hoped to rebuild the relationship, and had got a job.

Hughes is in touch with the community drugs intervention programme, and will receive counselling.