A DISABLED husband caused £17,500 damage by ramming his estranged wife's home with his car.

Michell Powell, paralysed from the chest down, smashed through the garage door and knocked her Seat Toledo through the back wall into the neighbour's property.

He also crashed into his brother-in-law's car parked in front of the lounge, terrifying the family - which included children - who cowered inside the house.

Powell then tried to slash his wrists with a knife and police had to break the windows of his car to arrest him, said David Iles, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

The 33-year-old had sent wife Tracey vitriolic text messages before the incident on March 14 last year.

Mr Iles said: "He used his car as a battering ram. The occupiers were extremely frightened and couldn't get out. His wife is in considerable fear of him and unless he is restrained he will continue his activities towards her."

Powell, of Tolladine Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty to damaging property while reckless whether life was endangered and putting his wife in fear of violence by harassment.

Judge Andrew Geddes accepted Powell was suffering from feelings of hopelessness and lack of self worth at the time and was still clinically depressed. But he said it did not excuse his behaviour.

The judge released him and passed a community rehabilitation order for three years and said he hoped Powell would receive psychological help.

He also passed a restraining order to stop all contact with the family including text messages.

The defendant struck after driving past the semi-detached house in Wilcroft Park, Bartestree, Herefordshire.

She anticipated trouble over a court injunction she had served on Powell and moved her car into the garage, closing the door.

The family then heard a series of bangs as Powell rammed Jeremy Jones's car before smashing through the garage in a series of shunts.

The Seat was pushed through a brick wall belonging to the neighbour, an off-duty policeman.

Francis Laird, defending, said Powell had lost hope following a motorcycle smash in 2001.

"Everything he held dear was taken from him," he said. "He was a healthy, bread-winning husband who became dependent and permanently disabled. He didn't want a divorce and felt he was being abandoned."