A DAD-of-five avoided prison despite being found guilty of three counts of assault, criminal damage and forceful entry into a property.

David Lyddon, 37, stormed out of his girlfriend’s home in Colchester after a row on August 12 last year.

She then called her friend - the second victim - seeking refuge for her children.

The friend later called her mother, but the incident escalated when Lyddon returned, forcing his way into the property and assaulting the occupants.

Lyddon grabbed his girlfriend’s arms and threatened to “smash her face in”.

He also punched her friend on the chin and assaulted and threatened her mother.

Lyddon appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.

Kathy Wilson, prosecuting, said: “It was a brilliant relationship until Lyddon’s partner suffered a miscarriage in May and he became verbally aggressive and sought financial control over her.

“He went back to the property to say sorry but felt she had picked his friends over him.

“Her car on the driveway was damaged from Lyddon jumping on the bonnet and the windscreen was cracked in two places.

“He was arrested later that day at a public house and became aggressive with police officers."

However, a spokesperson for the National Probation Service, who had spoken to Lyddon before appearing in court, said: “He used his fingers to get the two other victims out of the property and the incident got out of control.

“He wouldn’t comply with officers at the police station because he was annoyed his birthday weekend would be ruined.

“He was remorseful and demonstrated good insight into what happened.”

Lyddon, of Manford Way, Chigwell, received a total of 12 weeks in jail sentences, but the term was suspended for a year.

However, he was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £250 in compensation to the victims and £735 costs.