A MAN woken in the early hours and looked out of his window to see a friend in the street.

Blackburn magistrates heard when he went to investigate what was happening Kyle Catterall said Luke Atkinson was carrying a metal bar and retreated inside his home.

And as he called police he watched Atkinson on CCTV as he used the bar to smash the windscreen of his Land Rover.

Atkinson, 22, of Elliott Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to causing £200 worth of damage to the vehicle. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £200 compensation, £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said after the attack on his car a neighbour came and told Mr Catterall that he had taken the bar off Atkinson.

The defendant told police there was an ongoing argument between him and Mr Catterall after they fell out over 'something petty'.

Damien Pickup, defending, said the two men were friends and the aggrieved was also friends with the girl who had been the defendant's partner until they split up.

"He lost his job around the same time and was diagnosed as suffering from anxiety and depression," said Mr Pickup. "He was incredibly upset about losing his girlfriend and tried to reconcile."

Mr Pickup said Mr Catterall was supportive to his face, encouraging him to get back with his partner.

"On the night of this incident my client discovered Mr Catterall had been doing quite the opposite behind his back, encouraging his ex not to reconcile," said Mr Pickup.