A man caused £1,300 worth of damage to his girlfriend’s father’s car by smashing headlamps and windows after an argument, a court heard.

James Tarron Keggin, of Empire Terrace, in Douglas, was seen putting a brick through the window of a parked Ford Focus.

Keggin, aged 25, appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes for sentencing on Tuesday.

He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and put on probation for 12 months.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court that Keggin was in a relationship with the complainant’s daughter.

Police were called to the man’s address at Rheast Barrule in Castletown after he heard loud bangs outside at 5.30am on September 1.

Keggin and his girlfriend’s father were said to have argued on the phone before the incident.

When the man looked outside he saw Keggin putting a brick through the window of his car.

Police arrested Keggin later that day and when interviewed he gave no comment responses.

The court heard that he has a number of previous convictions including one for provoking behaviour in March this year

Arguments

A probation report said that Keggin had told them there had been arguments with his girlfriend’s family and he claimed that all parties had been drinking.

He said that at the time of the offence he was under the influence of prescription drug pregabalin, although it was not prescribed to him, as well as alcohol.

The report said that Keggin was a chef but was currently seeking work.

Defence advocate David Reynolds asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea.

He said that there was ’clearly significant background’ to the incident.

Mr Reynolds said probation and community service would give stability to Keggin and help him find work in the future.

Keggin admitted an offence of damaging property.

As well as the community service and probation order he was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to his girlfriend’s father and £125 prosecution costs after the conclusion of payment of his previous fines.

The court heard that Keggin was £250 in arrears in relation to previous fines which Mrs Hughes ordered him to pay by today (Thursday).