A 20-YEAR-OLD Ammanford man put his fist through a £700 plate glass shop window in a fit of jealousy, a court heard.

Dale William Jack Hughes, of 2a Heol y Felin, smashed the display window of Shoe Zone in Quay Street after spotting his girlfriend walking down the street with her expartner at 12.20am on January 20.

Llanelli court heard how Hughes and his girlfriend had been to an event at Betws RFC before going on to the Railway Hotel in Ammanford.

As some point during the evening Hughes’ girlfriend left the pub with her former partner.

After midnight, Hughes, who described himself as “merry” after downing five bottles of cider, also left the pub.

As Hughes walked along Quay Street his girlfriend approached from the opposite direction, closely followed by her expartner.

Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, told the court that watching CCTV operators contacted police “as things seemed to be getting heated”.

Laura Sherwood, defending, said: “He argued with his girlfriend and in a fit of anger punched the window.

“He clearly realised it was a reckless act and that damaged could be caused.

“He knew that damage would be substantial.”

In interview, Hughes told police he had “lost his temper in a moment of anger”.

The court was told a replacement window had cost £694.25 plus a further £37.20 in expenses.

Ms Sherwood told the court that Hughes had been diagnosed with depression and took prescription medication to “keep him on an even keel”.

“On this day he could not pick up his prescription and that lack of his medication made him frustrated,” she said.

Magistrates sentenced Hughes to a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay a £60 legal surcharge and £731.45 in compensation.