15:27 17 April 2015
Darren Humphries has been jailed for eight weeks after he assaulted his wife by pelting her in the face with chocolate mini eggs after she refused to let him see their children.
The incident took place on March 3 after the 37-year-old dad began throwing Cadbury Mini Eggs at wife Claire, 31. The court heard Humphries lost his temper after his partner for 14 years refused to allow him into her home to see their two children. He then forced the door open and grabbed Claire by the jaw causing her to fall back into the house. He then started throwing the chocolates at her head.
Prosecutor Mark Soper said the defendant had launched the bins after Claire had refused to let him sleep inside her Volkswagen Golf.
He told the court: "The couple have been separated since February 2014 after 14 years together - they have two children, a 10-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl.
"It seems Mr Humphries became mentally unwell and his wife decided the relationship should end.
"He had become very difficult to live with, using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate.
"This led to abusive and violent behaviour towards her and left her in fear of him.
"During the first incident he went to the home address. He was in drink and asked to be allowed to sleep in her car, but she did not allow him.
"He threw wheelie bins at the car and was arrested and charged with that offence.
"In the next incident he forced the door open and grabbed his wife by the jawbone causing her to fall into the house.
"He was shouting at her and eventually released her, causing her further distress because she was in fear of him.
Rob Macrory, defending, said: "This behaviour is born totally out of frustration.
"He was driven by the emotion of wanting to see his children and he is generally so fed up in life.
"There are mental health difficulties but he does not believe he has a problem with alcohol.
"I would ask the court to consider that there were not extensive injuries to the victim and he only has a very short record."