Mum-of-two Holly Jennings, 29, admitted to to having scratched a three-letter word into her ex-boyfriend’s car while he was away with his new partner, a court heard
A jealous mum appeared in court after she scrawled a three-letter word on her ex-boyfriend’s car.
Holly Jennings smashed the windscreen of his cars and went on to key the doors in a “revenge attack” earlier this year, a court heard. Before she went on the rampage, Jennings called her ex and threatened to damage his Ford Focus hot hatchback while he was away with his new partner.
Jennings, 29, caused about £3,000 of damage to the car which was left parked outside her ex’s home. The mum-of-two from Crewe, in Cheshire, went on to smash the windscreen, and scratched “dog” into the bonnet.
Her ex learned about the damage when a neighbour called him while he was away. Jennings said she regretted what she had done.
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She pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage on October 14 and was fined £120 and made to pay £133 in costs and a surcharge. Jennings was later seen laughing and smiling as she left Warrington Magistrates’ Court following her hearing.
The hearing also heard her ex-partner declined to support the prosecution. Diana Przemecka, prosecuting, said: “This defendant and the owner of the vehicle were previously in a relationship and also share a child together.
“The relationship came to an end and the owner of the vehicle started a new relationship. They went away and whilst away the defendant made threats over a phone call that she would damage his vehicle.
“On August 27, the complainant was informed by a neighbour that the windscreen to his car had been smashed, the doors scratched and the word ‘dog’ scratched on the bonnet.
“She was arrested interviewed and provided a full comment interview. In brief, she stated ‘I just want to admit that I have done it’. The Crown submits that it is a revenge attack aggravated by the matter being committed in a domestic context.
“For full completeness there are no previous convictions on the defendant’s record and the aggrieved party is not supportive of the prosecution and no statement has been provided.”
Representing herself, Jennings confirmed she looked after her and complainant’s child and said she was on Universal Credit. When pressed by District Judge Jack McGarva if she wanted to say anything about what happened, she said: “Obviously, I know it’s wrong what I have done.” When asked if she was sorry, she said: “Yeah.”
The judge asked her: “There is a significant degree of bitterness toward this fellow. Do you regret it?”. She replied: “Yeah.”
When asked if she would be likely to do it again, she replied: “Definitely not.” “Being arrested and coming to court has taught you a lesson?”, the judge asked, to which she replied: “Yeah.”
When sentencing Jennings, the judge said he would not make her pay any compensation but added: “You, on impulse I would say, attacked your ex’s car to get back at him, to tell him how you feel about him. That is clear.
“You caused a significant amount of damage to the vehicle. We know that he is not supportive of the prosecution so, you should not feel any degree of bitterness toward him.
“But it is really time to put an end to all of this. You have to move on. I understand when bringing up a child you have to have some kind of dialogue with him even if you do not like him for the benefit of the child.
“I agree that it is a revenge attack but it is an offence with little or no planning and committed on impulse. Your lack of previous convictions and your remorse, and the fact that you are unlikely to offend again, mean I can impose a fine.”