PUB licensee Stephen Austin will have to pay more than £1,000 for damaging doors at his ex-girlfriend's home and smashing her new boyfriend's car with a hammer.

Austin, 44, who runs The Bell Inn at West Overton admitted causing criminal damage on October 15 in Marlborough at the home of his ex-girlfriend, Wendy Owen. He was ordered to pay compensation of £239.06 to property owners Sarsen Housing Association and £923.07 to David Blackmore whose Rover car he damaged.

Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes was told that the offences happened at a time of considerable stress and as a result Austin suffered a heart attack.

The court heard that Austin and Miss Owen had had an on-off relationship but split up for good in July.

Prosecutor Anna Humphreys said the couple remained good friends until Miss Owen began seeing Mr Blackmore in September.

Miss Humphreys said Austin had threatened to smash up her new boyfriend's car and things came to head after Miss Owen and Mr Blackmore returned to Miss Owen's home in Marlborough after an evening out.

She said they heard a bang on the front door followed by more banging and swearing which turned out to be Austin.

Miss Humphreys said: "The defendant was shouting abuse and Miss Owen and Mr Blackmore turned out the lights, called the police and hid in the kitchen."

Austin admitted to the police that he was responsible for the damage to the house and the car and said the attack had not been planned but was due to a combination of drinking alcohol and frustration.

Stacey Turner, defending, said Austin had expressed immediate remorse to the police. He said he and Miss Owen had experienced a turbulent relationship.

She said Austin was under considerable stress, which he attributes to the incident. Mrs Turner said Austin was in the process of selling the Bell Inn and this together with the criminal damage offences had resulted in him having a heart attack.

She said: "He spent a night in the police cells for his trouble and said it was the most humiliating experience for him. This has been a nightmare for him."

Magistrates conditionally discharged Austin for 12 months.

Chairman of the bench Geoff Olsen said: "It's always extremely sad to the bench when things of this nature happen.

"It affects everybody. The bench accepts your comments to the police at the scene and your co-operation with the police and willingness to accept the compensation and make settlement of it.

"We hope the rest of your life is considerably better than the last 12 months has been."