A DRUNKEN afternoon resulted in a man being fined £75 for his "reckless" action at his girlfriend's home.

Matthew Vivian, aged 25, had been drinking with his partner, Nichola Bolam, on Wednesday, July 23, Worcester Magistrates heard yesterday.

Police were later called to Mrs Bolam's house, in The Avenue, Hartlebury, near Stourport.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said they had been called out on a "domestic matter".

"Mrs Bolam phoned the police and said her boyfriend wouldn't leave," said Mr Whitfield.

"The police arrived to find they were both intoxicated. They also found a rear window of the house had been smashed.

"Mr Vivian was interviewed by the police and he told them he had been drinking all day and he had banged on the window to make Mrs Bolam let him in, but it had broken." He added the damage had since been "made good".

Sarah Brady, defending, said Mr Vivian, who lives in Larkhill, off Stourbridge Road, Kidderminster, had not meant to break the window.

"The couple have a stormy relationship and both parties were the worse for drink," said Mrs Brady.

"But he didn't mean to break the window - he simply wanted to come in. He repaired, and paid for, the window very quickly."

She added Mr Vivian - an unemployed builder - was attending a domestic violence course. He pleaded guilty to the charge of criminal damage.

Deputy district judge Roger Lowe said it was clear it had been "a reckless act of damage, rather than a wilful act".

He fined Mr Vivian £75 and ordered him to pay £65 costs.