A HUSBAND who made his estranged wife use a ladder to get into their home office has been prosecuted.

Alan Reginald Samuel Smallridge pleaded guilty at North Devon magistrates' court to breaching an order imposed by the county court.

The order said Smallridge, of Beechview, Woolsery, must allow his wife Margaret access to a home office from which he runs a vehicle business.

The couple are in the process of divorcing.

For the prosecution, Mark Haddow told magistrates that Smallridge had not acted reasonably by only giving her access via a step ladder, instead of a key to the door.

He was also required to give her access to gardening equipment, but had removed the battery and a lead from the lawn mower.

Jeremy Ferguson, representing Smallridge, said the couple, who were together for more than six years, had lived in the same home for a long time after they had separated.

But the judge at county court said it was obvious the couple could not live under the same roof and Smallridge moved into a caravan on the same property.

He said Smallridge had not given his wife access to the mower as he felt it was dangerous.

He had also left the office door open all day at her request, but she chose not to take advantage of it.

Magistrate Susan Poxon described the situation as petty.

She said: "It is an unfortunate situation and the majority of divorces are emotional, vindictive and people score points.

"But, this order was made by the courts and it is a serious offence to breach it — the ultimate sanction can be prison."

She said the bench had taken account of the fact that Smallridge had no previous convictions.

She decided to go outside sentencing guidelines to give him a 12-month conditional discharge.