A MAN strangled his girlfriend before causing thousands of pounds of damage to her home with ketchup and Fairy Liquid and writing “you’re next” on the wall.

Matthew Alder, 35, of Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, entered his partner’s home with his ten-year-old son, demanded her mobile phone and punched her in the face while her child was asleep upstairs.

He admitted assault by beating, theft and criminal damage and appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, January 13.

Prosecuting, Robert Griffiths told the court in early 2020 Alder went to his partner’s house and “demanded” her mobile phone.

Mr Griffiths said: “The next thing she recalls was Alder grabbing her by the hair, pulling her off the sofa and punching her to the side of the face.”

Alder then strangled the victim before a neighbour came in and pulled him away.

When the victim returned to the property, Alder used ketchup and Fairy Liquid to damage walls and wrote: “you cheating **** p.s you’re next.”

The court heard the defendant still had the mobile phone he took and he offered to return it.

Alder had four previous convictions from 11 offences, the last being in 2019.

Mitigating, Richard Wayman said the offences were a matter of years ago and he is no longer in a relationship with the defendant.

He said Alder was willing to pay compensation and had already spent time on remand, in custody and on curfew.

Judge Brian Forster QC sentenced the 35-year-old to a 12-month community order, with the requirement to carry out 20 rehabilitation requirement days.

The judge said: “I am sure you will see it was totally unnecessary. You lost control at the time.

“Obviously I am not in a position to put myself in your shoes, the bottom line is however difficult it is to deal with a relationship that’s coming to an end, you can’t lose control and resort to violence.

“One can’t turn on someone who at one time one had a good relationship with.

“The purpose of the order is to help you so you don’t end up in a similar situation. My advice is to get through it and then I hope you can get on with life.”

Alder was also ordered to pay £1,250 compensation.