Husband admits to harassing his wife

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Saturday 28th Jan 2006.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with harassing his estranged wife. At Swindon Magistrates' Court Andrew Hambridge, 21, pleaded guilty to harassment The court heard how he hassled his wife Kerry on four occasions between October 27 and November 4, last year.

Prosecuting, Becky Abbot said that Hambridge repeatedly went around to the couple's home in Abbey View Road when he was drunk.

The couple had been living there with their two children, aged six months and 19 months and two children from Kerry's previous relationship, aged six and two.

Ms Abbott said: "She describes his behaviour as violent and abusive."

On two occasions Hambridge had got a ladder and tried to get in to Kerry's bedroom window.

Ms Abbott said: "He said I'm going to smash your face in' and told her she would regret what she was doing."

Defending, Rob Ross said that Hambridge, who has two previous convictions for assault on a partner, had only gone to the house to get his belongings.

"There's no suggestion that he has been violent," he said.

"Of course she was scared, because he had been drinking. He used alcohol as a consequence of the break-up of the relationship."

The magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and Hambridge was bailed.

The chairman of the bench, Martin Smith, said: "We feel there may be an escalating pattern of violence in this."

Hambridge is due back in court on March 1.

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