Cheating husband gets unpaid work after smashing wife's car

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, March 16, how Richard Barnett, 47, of Queen Street, Waingroves, Ripley, smashed his wife’s vehicle with a wheelie bin and damaged her door before he got into her home.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “They had been married for about ten years and their relationship was okay. However, she discovered him having affairs with other women and they decided to go to counselling.

“The relationship wasn’t working and they separated.”

The court heard Barnett’s wife had later been on a date but the estranged couple agreed to meet but they started arguing and went their separate ways.

But Mrs Haslam revealed how Barnett went to her home 30 minutes later banging on her front door.

Mrs Haslam added: “She heard banging on the front door and Barnett asked for his tablets and said he had taken all his clothes off and that he was freezing and going to die.

“She said stop being silly and urged him to go to his friend’s but he put his phone through the letter box but she put it back.”

The court heard how Barnett then picked up a wheelie bin which he used to hit her car and then she heard something smashing into the front door and he entered the property.

Mrs Haslam told how there was a struggle and a glass was broken and Barnett use a shard from the glass to slash his arm.

Barnett pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the car and door after the incident on January 30.

The defendant told police he was very remorseful and he had been drunk and was desperate to get his wife back because he loves her.

Defence solicitor Alex Chapman, who has been living with his mother and a friend according to the court, said he wanted to rekindle the marriage and panicked.

Mr Chapman added that his wife no longer supports the prosecution and the couple’s long-term plan is for the defendant to return home.

Magistrates sentenced Barnett to a 12 month community order with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 80 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.