A WOMAN who broke into her ex-boyfriend’s flat and then smashed a window has been jailed.

At Oxford Crown Court yesterday, Helyn Ward-Ackland, 45, admitted criminal damage on July 2.

Nigel Ogborne, prosecuting, said she climbed through an open bathroom window at David Johnstone’s flat in Salter Close, Grandpont, Oxford.

He told the court Mr Johnstone was woken by a noise and found the defendant in his bathroom.

Ward-Ackland, of Heath Lane, Bladon, said “I need a place to sleep”, but Mr Johnstone ushered her out “diplomatically”, Mr Ogborne said.

Moments later she broke the outside pane of the double-glazed window, causing £512 damage, the court heard.

Tim Boswell, defending, said his client had a drink problem and was diagnosed with depression after her adult son died. He said the incident was “part of a nasty break up”.

Judge Anthony King jailed her for 21 days and ordered her to pay £256 compensation. A three-year restraining order banning Ward-Ackland from contacting Mr Johnstone for three years was initially imposed but later revoked by the court at the request of the complainant.