A CARLISLE woman’s partner grabbed her by the throat on Christmas Day as a row about money got out of hand, a court heard.

Reece Messenger, 31, who now lives in Penrith, then began kicking and punching cupboards and doors, leaving gaping holes in some of them, before the woman asked him to leave.

At the city’s Rickergate court, he admitted causing criminal damage and an assault by beating on his former partner. Lee Woodyatt, prosecuting, outlined the facts.

He said that at the time, the defendant and the woman involved were in a relationship and while they were together on Christmas Day they began arguing. “During the course of this, she started to go upstairs,” said the lawyer.

“He continued shouting something and as a result she came back down the stairs and the argument continued.”

When she asked Messenger to leave, he demanded some money which had been part of a Christmas present from his mother. “She describes him as getting close to her face… He started kicking and punching kitchen doors and headbutting cupboards, which he did seven times.”

During this part of the row, the defendant “cornered” the woman in the kitchen, placing his hands on her neck. He then began kicking the living room door.

“As a result, there were holes in the door,” said Mr Woodyatt.

After he was arrested that day, the defendant admitted “holding the victim down by her throat for a couple of seconds,” the court heard. His criminal record consisted of ten previous offences.

The included a police assault and a criminal damage.

From the dock of the court, the defendant, who was unrepresented, said he was self-employed at the time and the relationship was struggling with financial problems. The day had started well but then became heated.

When he was asked to leave the property, he said, he asked for some money to see him through the next few days. Now living at Barco Terrace, Penrith, he was working and wanted to repair some of the damaged he had caused.

“I am very remorseful,” he said. “I understand that my actions were not acceptable. I’ve also saved up to pay for the damage in the property and I’m trying to set things right from now.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until July 15, ordering a background pre-sentence report on the defendant from the Probation Service. Messenger defendant was granted bail, conditional on him having no direct contact with the victim.

He previously lived in Bower Street, Carlisle.