A MAN who strangled his girlfriend after a disagreement during a game of Monopoly has appeared at court.

Lee Duffy grabbed his now ex-girlfriend by the throat until she couldn't breathe, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard.

The 35-year-old also assaulted his victim ten days earlier, when he grabbed her by the throat again and punched her.

Ansab Shan, prosecuting, said: "The defendant and the complainant were in a relationship for around four months.

"On June 27 the complainant said her and the defendant had been drinking in her home before she said she was tired and wanted to go to bed.

"However the defendant told her she wasn't going to bed and grabbed her by the arm and threw her onto the sofa.

"He then throttled her with his right hand and she said she could not breathe."

Mr Shan added: "The complainant has then gone to bed and the defendant has followed her upstairs and punched her several times, causing bruising.

"On July 7 the pair had a disagreement over a game of Monopoly. The defendant again grabbed her by the throat, strangling her.

"He damaged his own mobile phone and then attempted to damage the victim's mobile phone when she has attempted to call 999."

Duffy, of Middles Road, Stanley, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage on June 27 and assault by beating and criminal damage on July 7.

In a statement read out during the hearing, the victim said: "I am normally a happy and bubbly person but this incident has sucked the life out of me.

"I struggle sleeping and I get very upset when I think about this incident. I always worry about what could have happened and what else he might do.

"I don't think I will ever be the same."

Paul Donohue, mitigating, said: "In essence, what he have in the summer of last year are two unpleasant incidents that occurred in a relationship.

"The physical injuries are relatively minor and he is sorry for what has taken place.

"He has had issues with alcohol and substance misuse. He is 35 years of age and he has no previous convictions, he does not ordinarily go around behaving in this manner.

"His record speaks for itself."

Duffy was given a community order for 24 months and he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £300 court costs, £95 victim surcharge and £270.99 compensation to the victim and a restraining order was imposed for 12 months.