A “LEGLESS” Carlisle man found himself before the courts after he slapped a woman and threw her phone in the bath.

Shaune Richard Lee Bell, 45, got angry after his wife went to a pub that he had asked her not to attend due to a previous argument.

The court heard how Bell and his partner Carole Bell had been together for 18 years, but that a recent argument had led to problems in their relationship.

Carole Bell returned home on the evening of September 15 to her “legless” partner, who began to hurl abuse at her, calling her “fat” and “ugly”.

Mrs Bell said this made her feel terrible.

In a statement read out in court by prosecutor Peter Bardsley, on behalf of Mrs Bell, said she is “frightened what will happen once he becomes angry”.

During the incident Bell also threw his partner’s iPhone SE into the bath, causing £200 in estimated damage.

The court was also told that Bell had little recollection of what happened.

Lauren Heasley, defending, said her client felt betrayed after Mrs Bell went to the pub despite a recent agreement.

Appearing before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court on Monday, Bell pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage.

He was fined £173, ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge, £85 in costs and £300 in compensation.