A JOBLESS man admitted assaulting his ex-girlfriend after she dumped him two weeks before Christmas.

Charles Peter Court, 40, lost his temper with Marion Harper after she ended their six-month relationship in mid-December.

Mark Haigh, prosecuting, read a statement from Miss Harper in which she said Court visited her home in Crossbeck Court, Northallerton, on December 21 and threatened to smash it up and "ruin her Christmas" like she had ruined his.

He said Miss Harper opened the door as she had been expecting a friend. Court stayed for half an hour until he realised Miss Harper would not take him back.

It was then he lost his temper and held his fist to her face before saying she was "not worth it" and leaving.

Jane Scott, mitigating, said Miss Harper's television set had been paid for by Court and was a bone of contention, as was the fact that Court, who claims benefits, had asked his then girlfriend to save some of his money in her bank account for Christmas, which she had not returned.

Northallerton magistrates gave Court, of Southend Terrace, Bedale, a conditional discharge for a year.