Mansfield youth smashed way into house with hammer after Facebook row

A Mansfield youth smashed his way into a house with a hammer after his girlfriend had an argument on Facebook with the occupant, a court has heard.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Caleb Reginald Lambert, 19, of Babworth Court, admitted affray and criminal damage at a house on Ravensdale Road, in Mansfield, on December 5, last year.

George Speed, prosecuting, said Lambert messaged the man who had argued with his partner and offered to fight him, before threatening to come around.

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Mr Speed said: “Twenty minutes later, he heard Mr Lambert at the front door.”

Lambert smashed the front door’s window and reached through and opened the door. He entered the address holding a hammer and made threats to the man, who ran upstairs.

“He said he would be back to do worse if his victim ever contacted his girlfriend again,” said Mr Speed.

In a police interview, Lambert read from a prepared statement in which he denied carrying the hammer and claimed he banged on the door with his hand.

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But a Newton hearing, held on Monday, May 9, at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, concluded there had been a hammer at the scene.

The court heard Lambert had been fined for a racially-aggravated offence in September 2015.

David Grant, mitigating, said Lambert suffered from depression and had self-harmed in the past. He recently started a work placement.

“He is dealing with his issues,” Mr Grant said.

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work. Lambert was also ordered to abide by an 8pm to 7am curfew for three months, and pay costs of £300 and compensation of £100 for the door.

A 12-month restraining order forbids him from contacting the victim or the victim’s mother.

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