A husband who smashed a window during a domestic row with his wife has escaped a prison sentence.

Nigel Loble, 29, had been drinking since before 9am at their home in Cyril Child Close, Colchester, a court heard.

That evening, his wife wanted him to sober up because he had to go to work the next day but he asked her to get more drink.

Loble became abusive and began throwing things around the house, breaking a window with a knife.

He admitted causing criminal damage to the Colchester Council-owned house on Sunday.

Russell Haldane, mitigating, said Loble had expressed shame and embarrassment, and struggled to keep his drinking under control.

Loble was in breach of a suspended sentence for a domestic assault.

He was given a one-month suspended sentence and ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £120 compensation with £60 costs.