DESTROYING pictures of his wife’s ex-husband led to a birthday court appearance for a Llandysul man.

Christopher Licence of Maesllyn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, May 14.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court he was not sure why Licence had been brought to court in custody.

He said the 69 year-old’s wife called the police after he burned some of her photographs in their wood-burner during an argument, and ripped up others on May 12.

Mr Pritchard-Jones added: “In interview he said it was because of the argument and because some years ago she had destroyed a painting he had done.

“It was tit-for-tat, some 20 years later.”

Mark Layton, defending, said Licence was previously of clean character and had been brought to court on his birthday.

He added that Licence was in some discomfort following minor surgery on the day in question, and there had been an argument about the level of care his wife was providing him.

“He damaged some photographs of her previous husband. They had discussed destroying them before.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered Licence to pay £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.