A MAN turned up at his ex-partner's home at 8.30am and went on a wrecking spree.

Blackburn magistrates heard Scott Dickson ripped a television off the wall, threw the vacuum cleaner on the floor breaking it and smashed a candle oil burner.

And the court was told there were children in the house at the time who witnessed the entire incident.

Dickson, 27, of Creswick Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was fined £66 with £50 compensation and £32 victim surcharge.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Dickson had caused his ex-partner a great deal of distress and fear and she had called the police.

"It is an aggravating factor that there were children present at the time who witnessed the defendant's behaviour," said Miss Akhtar.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client conceded his behaviour was unacceptable and that it was aggravated by the presence of the children.

"He had been in contact with his ex-partner and it was because she wouldn't let him see the children that he went round," said Mr Bakhat.