AN ALLEGATION that a man caused criminal damage to a car with an axe has been dropped.

But Richard Lloyd Thomas, 35, formerly of Ffordd Siarl, Leeswood, admitted causing criminal damage to a Mercedes car using a weapon outside his ex-partner's home in the early hours of February 22.

Thomas, now of Lon Llewelyn in Flint, was warned by Judge Niclas Parry, sitting at Mold Crown Court, that each time he got into trouble there was a prospect of custody because of his previous convictions.

"If you go out in the middle of the night with a weapon and smash a car, it is a worry situation for everyone involved," the judge told him.

But the judge said Thomas had been out of trouble for some time and had the good sense to plead guilty.

Thomas was placed on a six month community order with 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

No compensation was ordered because Thomas was on universal benefits.

Barrister Anna Pope, prosecuting, said the reason the damage case was in the crown court was that it was originally alleged he was in possession of an axe.

But the prosecution had reconsidered the evidence, believed there was no realistic prospect of a conviction and the axe allegation had been dropped.

The court heard a weapon of some sort had been used to smash the window of the car in the early hours. Damage was estimated at £155.

Alun Williams, defending, did not mitigate when the judge indicated the sentence he had in mind.

Mr Williams said Thomas was fit and well and could do unpaid work.