A MAN smashed a rival lover’s car up with a baseball bat after another man had contacted his then girlfriend.

Dominic Hinge took the weapon to his former girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend’s VW Golf just two days before Christmas at Harbourne Gardens in West End.

The 25-year-old had become irate at the victim.

He was described as erupting into a “red mist” when the victim contacted his now ex-girlfriend.

He took matters into his own hands and went around to the victim’s home, “with the intention to cause harm”.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Hinge reacted badly to messages the victim had sent before contacting him to say: “I’m coming round”.

Prosecutor Robert Harding told the court Hinge attacked the victim, but charges of ABH were not pursued due to the victim not appearing for a trial.

He added that Hinge had a history of violence, including convictions for battery and criminal damage.

In mitigation, Rachel Troup said Hinge was “remorseful” for his actions and had acted in an “impulsive, immediate and unacceptable manner”.

However, she explained that there was a history between the victim and Hinge prior to the incident.

Judge Nicholas Rowland told the court that the intention for Hinge to harm his victim was clear as he bought a weapon to the scene of the crime.

The court heard that due to the victim’s lack of co-operation, it was unclear how much damage to the car had been sustained during Hinge’s attack.

Hinge, of The Close, Hedge End, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

He also admitted having a weapon in a public place.

Hinge was given a 12-month community order, including the requirement to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days within the next year.