A CARER who assaulted his former partner and destroyed her phone with a hammer believes the case was brought to court out of "petty revenge".

Barry Graham said the couple remained in a relationship for a time after the incident, but the past was dragged up because of an incident involving the woman and his father.

Graham, 36, of Manse Place, Inverkeithing, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that on September 24 at an address in Lochgelly he assaulted his ex-partner, pushed her and threw a remote control at her, striking her to the head to her injury.

He also wilfully destroyed property belonging to another by smashing a mobile phone by throwing it and hitting it with a hammer.

Depute fiscal Carrie Stevens said that just before 8pm, the couple were together at the complainer's property when an argument started.

"The accused took the complainer's phone and hit it twice with a hammer, causing it to smash," she said.

The damage to the phone cost £100.

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said: "The reports suggests that there is a lack of responsibility from Mr Graham.

"However, he has always accepted responsibility, but he does refer to a lapse in time of the issue being reported.

"The complainer has been in court for something involving his father and he thinks she did it to get back at him because of the bad blood.

"The couple remained in a relationship for some time after and he offered to pay for the phone.

"It is petty revenge."

Ms Joshi added that Graham had a previous conviction that also involved a hammer.

When Sheriff Craig McSherry asked if he goes around carrying a hammer, she replied: "No, it was in the property."

Graham was sentenced to a two-month restriction of liberty order, whereby he will have to remain at his address between the hours of 7pm-7pm daily.

He was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation.