‘Starving’ man snapped partner’s phone in half Legal Briefing
In a weekly column for the Star, solicitor Juliet PhillipsJames casts her expert eye over a range of legal matters and urges anyone with any questions or problems to come forward for help.
A MAN snapped a landline telephone handset in two after he shouted at his partner because he was “starving”, a court has been told.
John Ross Griffiths, of Tunnel Road, Llanelli pleaded guilty to damaging the phone belonging to Susan Nethercott when he appeared at the town’s magistrates’ court on Wednesday.
He also pleaded guilty to damaging a door at their home sometime between January 1 and March 20.
Prosecutor Abul Hussein said: “On March 25, his partner called him and asked if he wanted food, which he accepted. At the property he became abusive, telling her that he was starving and he snapped the phone in half.”
The court heard Miss Nethercott was still able to contact police by using her mobile phone after the landline was damaged by Griffiths, aged 34.
Mr Hussein added: “There was an earlier incident where he caused damaged to a door at their home.”
The court was shown photos of the door which is the property of Carmarthenshire Council and has since been repaired.
The court heard Miss Nethercott no longer supported the prosecution going ahead as she wants Griffiths to have help for his mental health, but Mr Hussein said he had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Defence solicitor Richard Morgan said: “My client made full admissions to the offences and accepts the damage caused.
“At 15, he had a brain tumour and that was removed but he has mental health issues as a result and in situations of stress he shows angry behaviour.
“He also suffers with depression.”
A pre-sentence report was carried out ahead of sentencing.
Magistrates gave Griffiths a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 15 days of rehabilitation activity. He was fined £40 and also ordered to pay £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge, along with £48 compensation to his partner for the phone damage.