A MAN has been banned from a village for two years after a domestic row resulted in him smashing in a door with a metal pole and also damaging a window.

A judge has ordered that John Higgins cannot go into the village of Bransgore in the New Forest.

The banning order follows a serious row with his then partner which saw property damaged after he lost his temper.

Southampton Magistrates Court heard the 47-year-old former bricklayer had been drinking at a nearby pub.

When he came back, Higgins, of no fixed abode, demanded food, and once it was given to him he spat it out claiming it was cold.

He then left his partner, who he had been in a relationship with for 18 months.

Once he left, she locked the door, which resulted in him smashing it with a metal pole as he tried to get back inside and he also damaged the window of a nearby hairdresser's.

Higgins pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage.

In mitigation, Kathryn Chapman said Higgins had been having health difficulties and severe back pain.

She said he had not been able to work as a bricklayer due to this.

Ms Chapman also said that he is having mental health difficulties.

Sentencing Higgins, district judge Lorraine Morgan said he must pay £545 damages, £85 costs and a surcharge of £30.

He has also been handed a restraining order not to enter the village of Bransgore for two years.