AFTER receiving a text from his girlfriend telling him not to come home because she knew he had been texting another girl, pro-boxer Joe Beeden flew into a rage and smashed their glass table after forcing his way in to the property.

And when magistrates heard he had already started taking anger management classes they imposed a conditional discharge on him, even though his girlfriend said she no longer supported proceedings.

The 23-year-old of East Wichel Way pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage when he damaged the glass table and wall dating from June 8.

Crown prosecutor Nick Barr told the magistrates that since the matter had been reported and Beeden charged with the offence his girlfriend had changed her mind and asked to retract her statement.

But as Beeden – who has no previous convictions - had already admitted the offence in interview the matter had to proceed.

“On this particular occasion the defendant had gone to the pub and whilst he was there she set him a text saying he had been sending texts to another girl and told him not to come home and put the chain across the door,” said Mr Barr.

“He gained access and stormed upstairs in a rage, shouting and swearing. He was clearly annoyed about the issue.”

Hearing the commotion a neighbour attended and the woman took the opportunity to leave, but as she does she hears the sound of breaking glass inside the property. The police were called and upon arrival they find a glass table had been smashed.

Defending him, Lorna Bennett told the magistrates that he accepted his actions.

“This was an argument that led to him taking his frustration out on the dining table,” she said.

“I would suggest that this something that was a one-off and is not something he would do on a regular basis.

"He was quite worried about this prosecution. He has voluntarily been attending anger management classes. It is not something he has issues with, but he wanted to put himself in the best possible situation before you today.

“He is a professional boxer and has just opened up his own barbers' salon and he is trying to work hard to provide for his young family.”

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Paul Sample told Beedon: “We are impressed with the efforts you are making voluntarily to control your anger so that very much goes in your favour. Today we are going to mark this offence with a conditional discharge, which will be nine months reduced to six in light of your early guilty plea.

"That means you are not being punished today, but if you commit any other offences in the next six months you can be punished for today’s offence and the new one.”

He must also pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.