A mother went to her ten-year-old daughter's school and smashed a vase, a court heard.

Yvette O'Mahony, of Framfield Close, Ifield, near Crawley, was given a conditional discharge for a year by Crawley magistrates yesterday after she admitted causing criminal damage at Ifield Middle School.

Mark Bishop, prosecuting, said 33-year-old O'Mahony went to the school on February 26 and caused a disturbance. She shouted at the school secretary and tried to get into the headteacher's office.

Mr Bishop said: "As she left the noise of smashing pottery was heard. The vase was found in pieces on the floor."

Police were called and O'Mahony was later arrested and admitted causing the damage.

Salome Sharghi, defending, said: "The school contacted my client to say they could not locate her daughter who was due to attend an after-hours maths activity class.

"Later there was a second call to say the girl had been found. Miss O'Mahony went to the school to collect her daughter and wanted to know what had happened.

"Out of frustration she picked up the vase and let it fall to the floor."

O'Mahony was ordered to pay £50 compensation for the vase and £50 costs.