A mother lost her temper with the woman she blamed for taking away her husband, a court heard.

Karen Dobbyn could not contact him and went to Donna Verrall's home in Brighton, where she shouted abuse before smashing two panes of glass in the back door. Dobbyn, 40, of Warbleton Close, Brighton, kicked one pane and threw a gas cylinder she found in the garden through the other.

She admitted causing criminal damage. Brighton magistrates gave her a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £55 costs plus £50 compensation towards the cost of repairing the door.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, told the court trouble broke out on March 11 when Dobbyn went to Mrs Verrall's home in Ansty Close. Her children were watching television and became distressed when Dobbyn started smashing the door.

Madeline Priestley, defending, said Dobbyn was looking for her husband and lost her temper when Mrs Verrall goaded her. She said Dobbyn had become suspicious that her husband and Mrs Verrall, a former friend, were having an affair three years ago but it was denied until last year. She said: "Since then the situation has spiralled downwards.

"Mrs Verrall verbally abused her. She is now very sorry. She is embarrassed this situation has boiled up to such a level she has ended up being arrested by the police."

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