Row over washing-up led to violent attack at Newport home

Telford magistrates heard that Warren Langley, 19, attacked his girlfriend over a 15-minute period, calling her names, hitting her, and stopping her from calling for help.

Mike Phillips, prosecuting, said the victim had met Langley via social media and he would travel to her home in Newport. However, she had begun to realise the defendant was "quick tempered" and "had started to exhibit violent behaviour towards her".

Mr Phillips said the fight began on May 27, during one of his visits, when she had asked him to wash a jug.

The defendant complained about her being "bossy" and "trying to control him" and began to call her names, the court was told.

"She was frightened by how angry he was," said Mr Phillips.

Langley had followed her upstairs to the bedroom and threw his weight on top of her as she lay on the bed.

Mr Phillips said the teenage victim had placed her hands in front of her face to protect herself as he tried to force her to look at him.

Langley had then taken a pillow and pressed it against her face, leaving her unable to breathe or fight back against his weight for 20 seconds.

Mr Phillips said the victim had wanted to call her mother but Langley grabbed hold of her as she tried to go downstairs.

When he realised she had taken her mobile with her to the bathroom he jammed the door to prevent her from locking it, burst in and took the phone, texting her mother from it to say she had called by accident.

Magistrates heard that Langley had picked up a razor and begun threatening to slash his own wrists and that during another tussle he accidentally slashed the victim's face as he grabbed at her while still holding the razor.

As she fell to the floor he punched her and kicked her in the thigh, added Mr Phillips.

The court was told that the attack had left the victim with cuts to her face and had affected her ability to study.

Langley, of Badminton, Avon, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating. He was given a 12-month community order, rehabilitation activity, 180 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay costs and £150 compensation.

Paul Nicholas, for Langley, said: "People argue and voice their frustration and that's what he's done, but he went too far and admitted that straight away."

Mr Nicholas said Langley was "bright young man", an apprentice engineer with good prospects who would be severely hampered by a prison sentence.

"He's done something he absolutely regrets now and he's ashamed.

"He will listen, he will learn and he will take it on board," added Mr Nicolas.