AN ASPATRIA woman locked herself in a bedroom after a man she had met on a dating app began smashing up her kitchen.

Adam Grice, 29, began to behave in a 'frightening manner' after he got drunk while spending time with the woman after they met, Carlisle Rickergate court heard. He admitted causing criminal damage.

George Shelley, prosecuting, described how the defendant began throwing items around the kitchen, smashing glasses, an interior wall, a sauce pan and a knife. The cost of the damage he caused was £250.

As many as 20 glasses were smashed.

In total, the March 3 incident lasted about an hour and ended as the police arrived after the home owner locked herself in a bedroom and called them.

“She could hear the banging and smashing coming from downstairs,” said Mr Shelley.

Their relationship had been underway for just two days.

The woman described Grice’s behaviour as 'frightening.' The court heard that he had 15 previous offences on his record, with the last he was in trouble being while he was living in western Australia in 2020.

The defendant told the court: “I met her on a dating app. “I lived in Australia for 20 years but I was deported."

He said he had relatives in Workington and that was why he came to the county. Grice confirmed that he is now living in London and is due to start a new job. District Judge John Temperley concluded that what happened was an 'isolated incident'.

He imposed a two-year conditional discharge, pointing out that provided the defendant stays out of trouble for that period there will be no punishment.

But Grice, formerly of Iredale Crescent, Workington, was told that he must pay the woman whose kitchen he smashed up compensation of £250, as well as prosecution costs of £85.

He must also pay a £26 victim surcharge.