A MAN who kicked his ex-girlfriend in the face and tried to take her children’s television has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Richard Clark, 27, was banned from going anywhere near Amy McDonagh under a restraining order imposed by York magistrates after previous violence, York Crown Court heard.

But Martin Haigh, prosecuting, said at about 10pm on February 1, he walked into her Acomb home drunk and attacked her as their children slept upstairs.

Recorder Peter Johnson, said: “That restraining order was imposed to protect Ms McDonagh and the children.”

The judge jailed Clark for 12 months for breaking the order, plus six months for causing actual bodily harm. Clark, of Station Terrace, Boroughbridge, pleaded guilty to both offences.

He also admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge for an earlier breach imposed less than a month previously.

Mr Haigh said Ms McDonagh’s sister left the front door unlocked when she left the house at 10pm. Shortly afterwards Clark walked in. He said: “I’ve come for my TV,” and started unplugging the television his former partner was watching.

Mr Haigh said: “She was shaking with fear because she didn’t know what he would do.” She told Clark the television had been bought by his mother for his children and urged him not to take it.

When he spun towards her she fell over as she tried to go backwards. He kicked her in the face, bending her nose and giving her other head injuries.

He left the house, but returned shortly afterwards.

For Clark, Kevin Blount said he had been drinking. The violence had not been premeditated. He needed support in conquering his violence rather than time in jail.