AN axe-wielding ex-partner took out his frustrations by chopping up a boxing bag.

Jake Kane, of Golwg y Castell, Cardigan, pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he appeared from custody at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, February 13.

The court heard that Kane called at the home of the mother of his child, who he had not seen for three years, at 9.30am on January 16 and tapped the door with a metal stick.

Kane, 26, left when asked, but returned about an hour later and picked up a wood-splitting axe which was in the garden.

There was a scuffle between him and the male occupant of the house after he was spotted with the axe in his hand through the window.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said: “The complainant decided to go back into the house because he was concerned about what would happen.”

Kane then destroyed a boxing bag which was in the garden, by chopping at it with the axe.

The bench heard he was sectioned and spent time on a mental health ward after the offence, and was arrested on his release, which led to him spending two nights in custody.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “Mr Kane was not well when this offence was committed.”

He added: “He says that the gentleman concerned came at him with an axe and there was scuffling between them. During which time to axe was dropped.

“The gentleman went back in and the axe was used to chop up the boxing bag.”

“He let out his frustration on the bag rather than anyone else.”

The court heard that Kane visited his former partner after hearing locally that his daughter had been asking about him, after failing to receive a response to messages he had left.

Probation officer Mark Brosnan said Kane believed his mental health had been affected by years of heavy cannabis use, and he now wanted to stop using the drug altogether.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 50 hours of unpaid work and a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Kane was ordered to pay £85 court costs, £45 compensation and an £85 surcharge.

A three-year restraining order was imposed prohibiting Kane from contacting his former partner, except through a solicitor, or going within 100 meters of her address.