A CARLISLE man threatened to smash his former partner's house windows during a "moment of madness," a court heard.

Ashleigh Bell, 28, was arrested on the evening of July 14 after the woman called the police a number of times and reported that he was outsider her property armed with a brick and threatening to put out the windows.

When the police officers arrived at the address in Carlisle at 9.20pm, they found the woman was clearly "distressed and frightened."

She said that Bell had been sending her text messages since 6pm, threatening to come to the house, which he did.

He arrived at 9.20pm, the court heard, and he immediately began banging on the door.

"He wanted to be let in but she refused," said prosecutor George Shelley.

"She saw that he had a brick and he shouted that he would put it through the window."

When they arrived at the house, the police officers noticed a brick near to the front door."

The defendant had 20 previous offences on his criminal record, with his last offence being one of possessing a controlled drug..

His record also includes three offences against property. Defence lawyer Andrew Gurney told the court that what happened had been a "moment of madness" on the defendant's part. 

"But he dropped the brick and left," said the lawyer.

Mr Gurney said that Bell wanted to address his issues and live his life without such "dramatic outbursts."

Magistrates agreed that sentencing should be adjourned so that a background report to be prepared.

They ruled that the case will come back to court on August 9 and granted the defendant bail on condition that he has no contact with the woman whose windows he threatened and does not go to her property.

Bell's current address was given in court at Beverley Rise, Harraby, Carlisle.

READ MORE: Carlisle man bombarded his ex-girlfiend with texts