A SOUTHAMPTON man wielding a pole smashed the window of a grandmother’s home and then threatened her and her son-in-law.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Karl Hoffman smashed the window of Eleanor Harrison’s home in Bitterne Road West, Southampton.

Hoffman, 33, of Merrydown Road, pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage and also pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour.

The court heard how when Hoffman smashed the window, Miss Harrison’s was inside the home while her grandchildren were watching a film.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Natalie Angel said: “She heard a loud bang and a sound she described as a ‘popping’, and saw glass coming flying in. She ran into the living room and said: “My window has been smashed.”

She then told her son-in-law, Ashley James Moore, who confronted Hoffman along with Ms Harrison outside their home. Mr Moore managed to wrestle the pole from Hoffman before neighbours restrained him.

Before the incident, the court heard that Hoffman had made threats towards both of them and called them “grasses”.

Ms Angel added: “The incident has left the victim feeling very worried. If she had not jumped up so quickly, the glass would have hurt her. She is in fear to go to sleep in case he comes back.”

Defending Hoffman, Miss Harley said he failed to take his medication on the evening of January 26, and instead chose to drink alcohol that night.

She said the matter related to a noise complaint, and the parties had got on well before the incident. She added that Hoffman suffered from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia.

Hoffman will be sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on May 2.