By Ted Davenport

A short tempered boyfriend has been sent on an anti-domestic violence course after attacking his partner in a petty row about who could use her tablet computer.

Christopher George grabbed the young mother and held her up against a wall by her throat so tightly that she could not breathe and needed to kick him away to escape.

She took refuge in a different room of her home in Holsworthy by George punched a hole through the door and grabbed her phone to stop her calling the police.

Her screams were so loud that they were heard by staff in a shop opposite who dialled 999 when they heard her shouting ‘let me out, let me out’.

George, aged 20, of Whitstone, near Holsworthy, admitted strangulation, battery and criminal damage and was made subject of a two year community order by Recorder Miss Hannah Willcock at Exeter Crown Court.

She ordered him to attend a probation-run Building Better Relationships programme and do 100 hours of unpaid community work.

She told him: “This case is aggravated because it is one of domestic abuse and took place in front of a young child, who not surprisingly was affected adversely. You sought to stop the victim seeking help by taking her phone.

“You have no previous convictions for violence and I take into account your strong personal mitigation. You had a difficult childhood in which you witnessed domestic violence and you have expressed genuine remorse.

“You have admitted that you have a short fuse and problems with anger and have sought help through hypnotherapy. I give you credit for recognising that you need help.

“These matters were very serious. Take this chance to address your anger issues and to change in the way that you say you will.”

Miss Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, said George had been in a relationship with a young mother for four months before the attack on December 16 last year.

She was playing a game on a tablet computer with her three-year-old daughter when George became angry because he wanted to use it. An argument started which turned physical.

He pinned her against a wall by her throat, briefly obstructing her flow of air and she struggled and kicked him off. He took her phone but she managed to get it back and went into another room.

George punched a hole in the door, got inside and pinned her down on the floor and spat in her face as he tried to get her phone back. The entire incident was witnessed by her daughter.

Miss Holly Gilbery, defending, said George suffers from ADHD and has already sought help for his anger issues. He is profoundly sorry for his actions. The woman is pregnant with his child and has not asked for a restraining order.