Man who smashed phone is given a chance by court

A man who smashed his partner's phone after they had a row about her going out has been given a chance to make amends.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, March 9, how Sidney Fletcher, 20, of Blackstone Close, Somercotes, Alfreton, snatched a Nokia Lumia 520 phone from his partner and threw it to the floor.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “The couple have been in a three-year relationship with a child and things are normal but there are issues between them.”

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There had been a previous occasion where police were called out, according to Miss Haslam, and during the latest incident police were called after a dispute which led to the phone being smashed.

The court heard that the complainant described how the couple had been arguing about the previous night when Fletcher had not wanted his partner to go out and she had wanted to stay out late.

Miss Haslam added: “He wasn’t happy about their child also being out late with her and they had an argument about that and he accepts snatching the phone from her when she was trying to phone police and he threw it to the floor.”

Fletcher pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage after the incident on February 7.

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Defence solicitor Denny Lau said the complainant had also had an operation and had complained she was in pain but she still wanted to go to a party as a family.

Mr Lau added: “He asked why go to a party if you are in pain and if you go why don’t you come back at 10pm? It was not controlling behaviour but concern.

“As a result, the next morning there was a row between them and the complainant accepts that she started a second argument and accused him of cheating.

“The complainant removed his clothes from a wardrobe and threw them outside and he didn’t want to be removed from the property by police so he made the wrong decision by taking the phone and smashing it.”

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The court heard how Fletcher has bought his partner a new phone and she stated that she knows he loves her and he does treat her with respect and she knows there will not be another incident.

District Judge Andrew Davison sentenced Fletcher to a 12 month conditional discharge but warned that if he re-offends he will be re-sentenced for smashing the phone.

Fletcher was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

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