AN ANGRY wife smashed the windows of her husband's taxi before launching an attack on his employer's office.

Bernice Hawkins, 47, of Epping Close, Warminster, attacked a Ford Transit minibus belonging to Starline Taxis, causing £550 damage, after a row on December 15.

Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, said Hawkins then went to Starline's base, in Market Place, where she broke more windows, causing £370 damage.

An office worker heard the sound of breaking glass at 8.30pm and thought Hawkins was wielding a hammer to smash the glass in the main door of the office.

Hawkins' husband had phoned the office to warn staff she might be on her way.

Police said Hawkins seemed drunk at the time of her arrest. She said she had drunk three bottles of wine.

Mrs Hewitt said Hawkins had felt provoked by her husband and that she had problems with alcohol and with her marriage.

Tim Hammick, defending, said: "She does appear genuinely contrite. She knows that to do this is bad enough but to do it where her husband works is worse. It is an illness rather than something wicked."

Hawkins admitted two charges of criminal damage was sentenced to a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £43 costs by Chippenham magistrates.