A MAN slapped his ex-partner, turned over a tree, kicked a dog cage and held a piece of glass to his own throat during Christmas Eve “fireworks” after they split.

Callum Griffiths, 23, had been told he wasn’t welcome at his former boyfriend’s Carlisle home. But Griffiths ignored that information and took a taxi to the address early on December 24.

The householder heard banging and shouting from outside his house, City magistrates were told. Griffiths then kicked a whole centre panel out of the front door and gained entry

At 2.20am the ex-boyfriend dialled 999, a call handler hearing him say “get off me”.

During an incident lasting around 40 minutes, Griffiths hurled one TV at a bedroom window, smashed another in a living room, punched walls and mirrors and damaged the front door of a log burner.

“He then picked up the Christmas tree and threw that, causing damage to items on it,” said prosecutor Lee Dacre. “He kicked a dog cage while the dog was in it.”

Griffiths slapped his former partner and then held a piece of glass to his own throat, saying: “You have done this to me. I’m going to traumatise you by making you watch me kill myself.”

Police attended the address and, said Mr Dacre: “There was blood over the doors and walls, and the complainant had blood on him. The defendant had to be tackled and taken to the ground.”

Of the impact on the victim, the prosecutor added: “He was in fear for his safety throughout.”

In court Griffiths, of Caslin Way, Carlisle, admitted using violence to secure entry to premises, assault and damaging property. He had also made attempts to contact the victim after his arrest. These were not the subject of criminal charges but the complainant had since requested the imposition of a restraining order.

Jeff Smith gave mitigation for Griffiths and admitted the prosecutor’s outline “sounds spectacular”.

“The relationship came to an end. It came to an end with fireworks. One can only feel sympathy for the victim in this matter,” said Mr Smith.

'Ill feeling could often be anticipated' when couples separated, he told the court.

“We certainly can’t expect the behaviour of Callum Griffiths. He is terribly sorry for the way he behaved. He had a significant amount to drink. He did cause the damage and he is terrible sorry,” Mr Smith told the court.

Magistrates requested the preparation of a background report from a probation officer and adjourned the case for several weeks while further issues were explored.

In the meantime Griffiths was granted conditional bail.