A MAN has been given a restraining order after assaulting his former partner and damaging her possessions in a fit of jealousy.

Carl James Runyeard, aged 27 of Chapelhay Heights, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to assaulting Leanne Taylor and damaging her possessions at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Monday, September 17.

The incident happened on Saturday, September 1 at Ms Taylor’s home on East Street in Weymouth.

Lee Turner, prosecuting, said Runyeard had an ‘on and off’ relationship with Ms Taylor.

After kick-starting their relationship, Runyeard became aware of another relationship of Ms Taylor’s, which made him ‘jealous’, so he started checking her phone.

On the date of the incident, Runyeard had been drinking when he was picked up by Ms Taylor who drove him back to her flat.

Mr Turner explained that Runyeard became ‘jealous’ and ‘aggressive’ while at the flat.

He snatched her phone off the coffee table and smashed it then picked something up from the kitchen and threw it at her window.

She was left ‘terrified’ by the ordeal.

Mr Turner explained how Runyeard got ‘closer and closer’ to Ms Taylor - who was unable to escape or ‘call for help.’’

He then grabbed her tight, before punching her in her right leg. She cried in pain and tried to protect her face.

Runyeard then stood up and let go of her while continuing to shout. She was in shock. He then started to punch the same leg.

Mr Turner added: "He looks around the flat while she cries for him to stop. She eventually calls the police and he is arrested."

Ms Taylor suffered bruising to he right wrist and forearm and the leg where she was punched.

Simon Lacey, mitigating, said Runyeard is a man of ‘previous good character’ and that there's an application for a restraining order for him not to go to East Street or contact Ms Taylor.

He added: “It doesn’t sound good what happened to her leg.”

The probation officer, who spoke with Runyeard, said: “Mr Runyeard was very co-operative. He had been in an on and off relationship with Ms Taylor for two years. He has strong emotions for her. The issues behind the offences are to do with his own childhood. I won’t go into details but social services were involved.

“He has no previous convictions but was given cautions as a juvenile.”

She added that he is ‘horrified’ that he was capable of such behaviour. He has also suffered from depression on and off over the years.

Runyeard was given a restraining order of 12 months. He is not to go near her home in East Street or contact Ms Taylor.

District Judge Stephen Nicholls said: “It’s appropriate to make a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.”

He also has to pay £85 for bringing the case to court and £170 in compensation to Ms Taylor, after breaking her phone and window.