A 27-year-old Felixstowe man who pushed his girlfriend backwards on to a table which broke during a row has been given a community order.

Brandon Moreton was asked by the victim to leave her Ipswich home during a row but he said he’d leave when he was ready, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When she said she was going to call the police he’d snatched her mobile phone and when she tried to get it back he pushed her backwards causing her to fall on to a plastic table which resulted in one of the table legs breaking.

Moreton of Barton Road, Felixstowe, admitted assault by beating, theft of a mobile phone and damaging property.

He was given a two year community order, a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement , 80 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £400 compensation.

He was also banned from contacting the victim for five years.

Juliet Donovan for Moreton said her client and the victim had known each other for a number of years and a relationship had developed between them.

He had lived with his parents in Felixstowe but would stay with the victim in Ipswich.