A MAN who punched his girlfriend because she had deleted messages from her mobile phone was ordered to carry out community service by Bury magistrates.

Lee McHugh, aged 33, of Athlone Avenue, Bury, had admitted assaulting Leanne Ford and causing damage to furniture. He appeared for sentence at Bury magistrates court and was given an 80 hour community punishment order with £60 costs.

The court heard that McHugh had been drinking and confronted his girlfriend and her three-year-old daughter after she spent a night with her parents. there was a row about test messages on her phone and he started smashing furniture. He then assaulted Ms Ford, punching her in the ribs. The court heard the couple were now back together.