Jealous South Molton boyfriend smashed laptop in Facebook rage

A JEALOUS boyfriend, who smashed his partner's laptop to pieces because she was a keen user of Facebook, has been given a restraining order.

Martin Symons, 31, of Churchill Crescent, South Molton, was ordered not to go near his now ex-girlfriend's address in Bideford for 12 months.

He pleaded guilty to a count of criminal damage when he appeared at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Monday.

He was also found guilty of failing to surrender to police after he did not attend the original court date on January 4.

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The court heard how, after a lengthy argument between the pair, Symons raised the £400 computer above his head before smashing it to the floor of a courtyard in Rastrick Close.

The couple had returned from a night out in the early hours of November 25 last year and that is when the dispute began.

The argument continued when they awoke and the laptop was destroyed at around 8.15am.

Sue Roberts, for the prosecution, told magistrates how Miss Bass repeatedly told Symons the relationship was over.

The court heard Symons ignored her and remained in Rastrick Close that day to watch television and wash his car.

In a statement, Miss Bass said: "We got in at about 1.30am that morning. As soon as we got in he started on me. I finally told him I could take no more and it was over and that I wanted him to leave.

"He had a go at me for being on Facebook all the time and socialising with friends.

"In the kitchen, he picked up my computer, walked into the rear garden, raised it above his head and threw it on the ground.

"Then he kept coming back during the day. He took a shower, watched television and cleaned his car – like nothing had happened.

"It has left me stressed, mentally and physically, and I am at the end of my tether."

In court Symons told magistrates: "I just got jealous. She was talking to people on Facebook all the time. There was nothing in it and I have learnt my lesson."

Referring to the charge of failing to surrender to police, Symons pleaded not guilty, saying his car had failed to start on January 4 and his mum had left a telephone message with the court.

Symons, who claims Jobseeker's allowance, was ordered to pay £400 to Miss Bass for the laptop, £25 Bail Act charge, £15 victim surcharge and £10 costs.