A BIDEFORD man who assaulted his girlfriend, threw a television out of a window and swung round an electric fire, has told the court he still loves her.

Derek Peter Cann, 45, from Meddon Street, pleaded guilty to assault by beating, criminal damage and breaching a conditional discharge order.

The court heard Cann had been out drinking on Thursday February 4 before he came home and had an argument with his girlfriend of five years.

He threw the television out of the window and swung the electric fire around damaging the plug.

She tried to leave the house and he grabbed her around the wrists and told her she wasn't going anywhere.

The prosecution alleged he then knelt on her chest pinning her down, but Cann denied this part of the attack.

He accepted the rest of the prosecutions account and told the court he loved her.

Cann committed the offence while on conditional discharge for being drunk and disorderly.

He said he had been dancing with his dog during the Tour of Britain celebrations in the park and "the mayor didn't like it" so the police were called.

Cann was given a 12 month community order with supervision and 40 hours unpaid work.

His conditional discharge was revoked and he was ordered to pay £20 fine, £40 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.