An Isle of Wight man acted “impulsive and reckless” when he repeatedly punched and damaged his ex-partner’s light switch, a court has heard.

Daniel Sweet, of Newport Road, Lake, attended the IW Magistrates’ Court on September 20 and pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said the 33-year-old turned up unannounced at his former partner’s address at 5.40pm on June 3 to see his six-month-old daughter.

Ms McConnell said the child was crying, and Sweet tried to comfort her before complaining to his ex-partner that she had made their baby hate him.

The court heard that Sweet and his ex-partner got into a dispute that ended when he punched the light switch several times.

Ms McConnell told magistrates Sweet has seven previous convictions for 16 offences, including a weapons offence in June.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client, during police interview, showed officers messages from his ex-partner inviting him to come over to see their daughter, claiming the visit was not unannounced.

Mr Vincent told the court “one or two comments” were made to Sweet, which resulted in a “very brief moment of frustration."

Sweet was apologetic after the outburst and offered to pay for the damage, said Mr Vincent, who described the incident as “impulsive and reckless.”

A representative from the probation service said Sweet is in breach of a current 12-month community order, which includes 80 hours of unpaid work, handed to him for the weapons offence in June.

The court heard that Sweet had only completed one hour of unpaid work.

Magistrates gave Sweet a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £19 compensation, costs of £85 and a £26 surcharge.