AN ABERYSTWYTH man who smashed a shop window and broke a car wing mirror was annoyed following an argument with his partner, magistrates have heard.

Richard O’Donoghue, 36, admitted two charges of criminal damage after witnesses called the police to say they had seen him damage the window of Gamepark in North Parade and the wing mirror of a parked car.

Rhian Jones, prosecuting, said police were called by a witness who said they had seen O’Donoghue, of Room 9, Rocklands in Queens Road, break the wing mirror before running off.

When police were in the vicinity they saw that the window of Gamepark had been smashed. One witness told police that they had heard a smash and a woman shout “Richard, go home”.

Ms Jones said the damage to the shop window was over £900 worth, but the shop owner had claimed off his insurance. However, he had to pay an excess of £250.

After he was identified and arrested, O’Donoghue told police that he couldn’t remember the incident, but initially denied smashing the window.

Defence solicitor Iestyn Davies said O’Donoghue still had “little or no recollection” of what had happened, but said he accepted the evidence of witnesses.

Mr Davies said O’Donoghue had been drunk and had been in a row with his partner at the time which had upset him and led to him lashing out.

He added: “He’s very embarrassed to be here today.”

O’Donoghue had stayed out of trouble for the last couple of years, and Mr Davies said: “Hopefully this is a blip.”

Magistrates heard that O’Donoghue had been due to appear in court on Wednesday, 3 August, but had failed to turn up, which led to a warrant being issued for his arrest.

He admitted failing to surrender to bail, with Mr Davies saying that O’Donoghue had confused the date he was due to appear.

O’Donoghue was fined £120, but will pay compensation of £250 to the Gamepark owner and £9.49 to the car owner for the wing mirror. He will also pay costs totalling £115.