A CHIPPENHAM man who lost his temper and assaulted his girlfriend because she was trying to leave him has been handed a restraining order by magistrates, banning him from contacting her for the next two years.

Grant Clark, 24, of Southmead, appeared before North West Wiltshire Magistrates on Thursday charged with assaulting his girlfriend on February 26 as well as failing to surrender to bail. He pleaded guilty to both counts as well as to smashing two glass vases during the violent incident.

Prosecuting, Pauline Lambert described how the victim recalled having her hair pulled as well as being grabbed by the throat in the assault, after they had been in a relationship for four-and-a-half years.

She said: “As the relationship progressed she decided to get advice on how to leave him while they had this joint tenancy on a flat. On February 26 he came back from work and started shouting at her, saying she was annoying him. He picked up a case off a table and smashed it on the floor.

“She said she couldn’t move because she had nothing on her feet and there was glass everywhere.”

Defending, Mike Pulsford said: “He knows he has issues with his temper.

“In the relationship there were constant arguments about money.

“He needs to learn that he can’t lose his temper like he has done in the past and he wants to turn over a new leaf.”

Clark was also given a community order for 18 months and must undertake the Building Better Relationships programme.

He was also ordered to take part in 20 rehabilitation days with the probation service as well as pay £200 compensation to his victim, court costs of £620 and a victim surcharge of £60.