A Connor Downs man who punched another man in the face because he found him at his ex-girlfriend's home has been given a one year community order.

Truro magistrates heard that Wade Thornton, 26, of Tresdale Parc, believed an invitation to his former girlfriend’s home on New Year’s Eve might lead to rekindling their relationship, but lost his temper when he found another man at her address.

The court was told that on seeing Lee Jose in the kitchen at Kimberley Moore's home in St Ives , Thornton grabbed him by the throat, pinned him to a chair with his knee, and punched him several times in the face.

Alison May, for the CPS, said the assault had taken place even though after being asked “What are you doing with my woman?” Mr Jose had replied that they were friends, and that was all.

Mr Jose and Kimberley Moore had been out with others drinking, and when Thornton saw Mr Jose at her home he had attacked him.

Ms Moore, who was “quite drunk”, had run off and hidden in the bathroom because she was frightened. Thornton then left.

Mr Jose had swelling, bruising and soreness, and had become reclusive, suffering from mood swings, was anxious and on edge, and was also receiving counselling as a result of the attack.

Thornton had a previous conviction for criminal damage and a caution for causing actual bodily harm.

His solicitor Rob Eccleston said the couple had split up after four months together, but his client was hopeful that they would rekindle their relationship.

On New Year’s Eve he had been drinking, when she contacted him and asked him to go to her address. He hoped things would start up again between then, but when he saw Mr Jose there, he had lost his temper.

He no longer wanted to see Ms Moore, their relationship was over, and a restraining order had been put in place preventing him from contacting her. He had now stopped his previous binge drinking habits.

Thornton pleaded guilty to assault, and was given a one year community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement, put under curfew three nights a week for four weeks, told to pay Mr Jose £225 compensation, and court costs and charges of £145.