A mum's home was trashed during a bizarre burglary in which tomato sauce was sprayed around her living room.
Shaun Potter broke into the home of Emma Thompson, drank wine from the fridge then took the ketchup to fixtures and fittings.
A court heard the sauce was squirted on the door, ceiling, sofas and mirror in the living room.
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Devastated Miss Thompson, who had worked hard to build up a nice family home for her son, was left so distressed and scared by the unprovoked attack she had to move house.
But now Potter, who had assaulted his partner in anger in an earlier offence, has been been freed by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.
The court heard the battery offence happened on his then-partner in April 2020 after their relationship ended and he pushed her to the ground.
Prosecutor Helen Towers said: "She wrote at the time that while being attacked she feared for his life and she could only think of her children and she described him as being like an animal."
Potter then went to visit his ex and children in June last year but they weren't in.
He noticed neighbour, Miss Thompson's house was unlocked and broke in while drunk.
Miss Towers said: "She got a phone call early the next morning from (Potter's ex), crying and apologising because the defendant had trashed her living room..
"He sprayed tomato sauce around the living room, on the door, ceiling, sofas and mirror.
"While in the premises, he consumed an open bottle of wine from the house."
The prosecutor added: "Miss Thompson felt she had to move as a result.
"She described bursting into tears when she saw the state of the house."
The victim, who was friends with Potter's ex and had got on with him, said in a statement shortly after the burglary: "I'm so upset.
"I have a four-year-old son and I've spent years building this house up for him.
"I don't feel safe here and can't live her anymore. My personal space has been invaded and I can't risk my son's safety.
"I've been left out of pocket and this was a completely unprovoked and unnecessary attack."
Potter, 32, of Cowpen Road, Blyth, whose previous convictions including assaults, admitted burglary, criminal damage and battery.
Recorder Mark Giuliani sentenced him to a two year community order with 100 hours unpaid work.
The judge said the break-in was "bizarre behaviour" but despite a pre-sentence report saying there was a relatively high risk of Potter offending again, told him: "You have said you want to change and this is your opportunity to change."
Liam O'Brien, defending, said the burglary was a "nasty, mean" offence but claimed he had demonstrated remorse.
He added: "It was senseless, there's no reason for it other than drink."
