A CHRISTMAS eve bust-up reached a destructive climax as a Carlisle man began smashing up his former partner’s home, kicking a dog basket, smashing a mirror and throwing things at the TV.

But 23-year-old Callum Griffiths offered a sincere apology to magistrates after he admitted a spate of offending linked to his outburst.

Prosecutor George Shelley said the alarm was raised when police received a 999 call the defendant’s former boyfriend, who summoned the police as the call handler listened to the sounds of a disturbance.

The call was made at 2.20am on December 24 last year.

During the call, said Mr Shelley, the call handler could hear the victim saying: “Get off me! What are you doing?” Griffiths grabbed the phone and then smashed the glass in a wardrobe door, the court heard.

“He picked up a small TV and threw it towards a window,” said Mr Shelley. He also attacked a wall mounted TV in the living room and threw a Christmas tree – decorations and all – at the TV, smashing the baubles.

“He then kicked the dog basket while the dog was inside it and then slapped [the victim] with his open palm to the left side of his face, and grabbed at him, causing him to fall over,” continued the prosecutor.

Griffiths had multiple cuts to his hands after his wrecking spree.

Earlier the defendant had forced his way through the property’s front door, kicking out a central panel. The cost of the damage the defendant caused was estimated to be £1,970, the court heard.

The defendant admitted an assault by beating, using violence to secure entry to premises, and causing criminal damage to various items, including a TV, walls, mirrors, and the property by leaving blood around the house.

Representing himself in court, the defendant, of Caslin Way, Carlisle, told magistrates: “I deeply apologise; it was very out of character for someone like myself.

“I feel incredibly guilty and don’t condone my actions in any way, shape or form. I can guarantee that it won’t happen again. If you find it appropriate for me to pay compensation I won’t argue.

“I can’t imagine getting in contact again [with the victim] after this.” The court heard that the defendant has a previous assault on his record from 2015 and this was committed in a domestic context.

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order.

It will include 20 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours of unpaid work. Griffiths must also pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs, but magistrates did not order compensation, saying they had seen no evidence of the cost of the damage.

They imposed a six-month restraining order that bans Griffiths from contacting the victim or going to his property in Edgehill Road, Harraby.