A woman damaged her estranged husband’s car as she struggled to come to terms with her son’s death.

Nathalie Taylor, of Hall Croft in New Mill, pleaded guilty to criminal damage when she appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court yesterday.

Taylor’s son Cpl Jake Hartley was one of six soldiers killed in a blast in Afghanistan on March 6, 2012.

Her solicitor told magistrates that Taylor and her family had been under “significant pressure” following Cpl Hartley’s death.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said the offence happened on January 14.

At 9pm Taylor went to her ex-husband Mark Taylor’s address on Clarke Lane in Meltham.

He said that Nathalie Taylor, 41, was in drink and the pair argued.

She was moved on after police were called but returned at 11pm and banged on the door.

Mr Bozman said at the time Mr Taylor’s company vehicle was parked on the driveway.

He told magistrates: “She was refused entry, resulting in an argument.

“Then she approached the vehicle and used a key to cause deep scratches down both sides of the car.”

Taylor was arrested and admitted the offence in interview, claiming she had lost her temper.

Cpl Hartley and his colleagues died when an improvised explosive device detonated under their Warrior in Helmand Province.

An inquest held last October found the men were unlawfully killed.

Paul Blanchard, mitigating, told magistrates that the family had been placed under great pressure since Jake’s death.

He explained that Taylor and her husband split six years ago and their son Ethan lived with Mr Taylor.

He said that on the night of the offence she had gone round to the address to discuss some issues between them.

Mr Blanchard said: “The grief is quite clearly in the family unit.

“Mrs Taylor did that while in drink and out of pure frustration, having had an argument on the doorstep, resorted to this act.”

Mr Blanchard said that Taylor has since decided to take a break for her health.

He told magistrates that she is set to spend some weeks in Thailand volunteering with projects with UK International.

The solicitor said: “It’s something that she’s done to come to terms with what’s happened in her life.

“She will hopefully come back with a significantly positive experience in Thailand.

“This incident is isolated and happened against a background of emotional turmoil.

“A significant pressure has been placed upon Mrs Taylor and the family as a result of what happened to Jake in Afghanistan.”

Magistrates ordered Taylor to pay �260 compensation towards the cost of repairing the vehicle.

They made no award for costs to be paid.