A VENGEFUL grandad wrecked a house after being denied access to his grandson.

Michael Barlow used a hammer to smash his way into the home of his son's ex-partner and set about destroying property including shattering the TV screen and badly damaging doors and kitchen appliances.

The home owner was alerted to the break-in on April 3 last year by a neighbour but it was only the following month that forensic tests on blood found at the scene revealed the culprit to be 50-year-old Barlow.

In a statement read out at Bolton Crown Court the victim said she had tried to keep the identity of the burglar from her five-year-old son.

"Although I have not told him he has found out, maybe through other family members, that it was his grandad who has done this to us," she said.

Roger Brown, prosecuting, told the court how Barlow's son, Callum, and his partner had separated and she, with their son, lived in First Avenue, Little Lever.

Judge Timothy Stead was told that, on April 3, Barlow expected his son to bring the child to visit him, but that did not happen.

And so, in the afternoon, while the First Avenue house was locked and empty Barlow turned up and wreaked revenge, causing damage estimated at £2,325.

"This was effectively getting his own back on not being allowed to have contact with his grandson," said Mr Brown.

Just after 4.30pm the child's mother received a text from a neighbour, who had discovered the French doors broken and a wall-mounted TV smashed.

Mr Brown told how, as well as the TV, a shelving unit was damaged and doors leading to the kitchen and hallway were broken,

In the kitchen the washing machine door was shattered, leaving clothing inside covered in glass and damage was caused to a hairdryer and kettle.

Blood was found on the French windows and TV and Barlow, after initially denying being at the house, eventually admitted his guilt when confronted with the DNA evidence.

Barlow, of Bromley Cross Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to cause criminal damage.

"The defendant did concede that somebody had taken him to the house but refused to identify who that was," said Mr Brown, who added that, although there is no evidence, the victim believes it was Barlow's son.

The court heard how it is not the first time that Barlow has taken revenge on someone. In January 2018 he was jailed for three years after he was sacked by an employer and so set fire to a vehicle on his property. He also has other convictions for other criminal damage and affray offences.

In a victim statement his grandson's mother said she is now suffering from anxiety and depression and her son cannot sleep alone, needing a chest of drawers to be pushed against a door.

Colin Buckle, defending, told Judge Timothy Stead: "This defendant really is disgusted and embarrassed because it's his grandson's house and the defendant knows the impact it has had on his grandson, who he now hasn't seen for a year.

"On the day the defendant committed the offence, he was expecting Callum to go and collect [the child] and bring him round to see him and grandson, son and grandfather would spend the day together."

But Callum and his ex-partner argued and so, when the visit did not happen, he went to the shops to buy alcohol, which he drank and decided to go and visit the mum.

"It was a frustration to the defendant that he wanted to see his grandson but the bickering [between his son and his ex] was preventing it," said Mr Buckle.

He added that Barlow did not know his grandson's mum would not be at home at when he arrived in Little Lever.

But after hearing Barlow's claims that he used a hammer he found among tools on the ground at the back of the house to smash his way inside, rather than bringing it with him, Judge Stead adjourned sentencing until April 20 to allow time for more evidence to be produced.

In the meantime he granted Barlow bail.

"The defendant is going to have to prepare himself for all possibilities," stated Judge Stead.