A RAGING thug injured two women after booting in the doors of two apartments in a ‘terrifying and horrible’ incident.

Sakhile Lecheko chased his former partner as she sought refuge in a friend’s flat after he used violence to force his way into hers.

The 24-year-old then again used his feet to get through the second doorway, injuring the two women in the process.

South African national Lecheko appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court for sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of assault by beating, two counts of using violence to secure entry to premises and a count of criminal damage.

The forklift truck driver, of Stafford, pleaded guilty to some of the charges at first opportunity and pleaded guilty to others on the day of his trial.

At an earlier hearing, prosecutor Angela Blackmore explained how the incident unfolded on June 28 last year at Clearwater Quays in Latchford.

The defendant attended the address of his ex-partner, but she did not let him in. He responded by forcing his way in by ‘smashing the door off its hinges’, the court heard.

The victim was in the shower at the time, but she grabbed a coat and ran out of her apartment.

A friend living in a nearby flat let her in having heard the commotion and shut the door before Lecheko could get in.

Sakhile Lecheko was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates Court

Sakhile Lecheko was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates' Court

The defendant again kicked the door in – as the two women were stood behind it.

The door hit the first woman in the face, which caused her head to clash with the second woman, causing minor injuries.

Before sentencing, chair magistrate Lynn Colter-Howard said: “Matters like this we consider very serious. The victims involved must have been terrified.

“However, we are going to go along with the recommendation from the probation service.”

Lecheko, who was unrepresented in court, was sentenced to a community order for 30 months, including 200 hours unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He must also pay costs of £820, including compensation for his victims and money for the cost of the doors he broke.

After passing her sentence, Ms Colter-Howard added: “This was a really horrible offence, and the effect on the people involved must have been absolutely horrendous.

“You could have been going to prison for this. If you breach the order, you will be brought back to court and we will sentence you in a different way.”

Before leaving the dock, Lecheko said: “I’m sorry. Thank you for giving me a chance.”