A YOUNG mum has been fined after attacking her ex’s car with a spade in an argument.

Leanne Crawshaw, of Oak Avenue in Golcar, was before Huddersfield magistrates yesterday.

The 22-year-old had pleaded guilty to damaging the Nissan car belonging to Michael Chambers, the father of her two children, on August 9.

Linda Fowler, prosecuting, said that Mr Chambers had gone around to Crawshaw’s house to see her to discuss access to the kids.

But the conversation had become heated and the pair ended up outside.

Mrs Fowler said: “She went round to the rear garden and picked up a spade.

“She hit the car with the spade while he was sat in it trying to get it started.”

Magistrates were told that Crawshaw caused about £500 worth of damage to the car door and window.

When interviewed by police she admitted arguing with her former partner. Mrs Fowler said Crawshaw was extremely scared of him to the extent that she had taken out a non-molestation order banning him from harassing her.

She added that Crawshaw said Mr Chambers would regularly drive past calling her names. She was having a camera fitted outside her home.

Charles Ainley, defending, said the mum – whose children are aged two and four – had until recently worked as a support worker for young people with autism.

However she had been unable to work due to depression. Mr Ainley said Mr Chambers had been violent and that on one occasion he had broken her thumb.

He said: “She accepts that she picked up the shovel, she said ‘I thought I was going to get battered’.

“She’s sorry, she knows she shouldn’t have behaved in this way.”

Magistrates granted Crawshaw a conditional discharge for 12 months.

They also ordered her to pay £85 court costs and £200 contribution towards repairing damage to the car.