A social services meeting to sort out child access ended in a row between a 26-year-old Blackburn man and his former friend who had 'stolen' his wife.

Blackburn magistrates heard the two men squared up to each other in the meeting before Ragner Emanuel Clifton stormed out and attacked the other man's BMW car with a screwdriver.

Clifton, of Aviemore Close, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 compensation to Mohammed Patel.

Judith Balderstone, prosecuting, said Mr Patel had attended the family group meeting with the mother of Clifton's child.

"During the meeting, Clifton became angry and there was a confrontation ," said Miss Balderstone. "Clifton threatened to 'smash up' the other man's car and then left."

A member of staff followed Clifton out and him saw pacing up and down with a screwdriver in his hand. He approached Clifton and asked if he wanted to talk but said he just wanted to "do his car."

"Using the screwdriver he smashed two windows," said Miss Balderstone.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said the two men had been good friends and had worked together. "That situation ended when my client discovered that his friend was sleeping with his wife," said Mr Bakhat. "Not surprisingly, this caused major upheaval."

He said Clifton's only previous conviction was also for criminal damage and that had been out of anger and frustration at the breakdown of his marriage.

"Since then he has had tremendous difficulty getting contact with his children and the purpose of the meeting was for social services to mediate.

"Mr Patel attended with my client's former partner and he was very aggressive," said Mr Bakhat. "He says Mr Patel, who is a very big man, took hold of him during the meeting. He did not retaliate but felt humiliated."

He said Clifton accepted smashing the windows and did not seek to excuse his behaviour. "He believes they are trying to provoke him so they can use this against him in the family court," said Mr Bakhat. "This may or may not be true but he certainly hasn't done himself any favours."