A MAN who assaulted his partner when she tried to speak to him while he was playing the X-box has been forbidden to contact her.

Michael Russell of Sanquhar Avenue Prestwick admitted headbutting the woman, punching her on the body and pulling her hair around her neck on July 13, 2016.

He also admitted sending offensive and abusive messages to his partner, making threats of violence, threatening to post intimate images of her online and repeatedly phoning her between July 13 and July 17, 2016.

The 19-year-old appeared before Sheriff Desmond Leslie at Ayr Sherriff Court last week. Depute Fiscal Scott Toal explained how the complainer and the accused had been in a relationship for five months.

He said: "It seems she tried to speak to the accused who was engrossed in an X-box game. She went to the living room. He pressed his forehead against hers, forcing her down.

"The accused broke off, as he did so, he pushed her on the leg, before pushing her back onto the chair she had been sitting on."

The court heard how Russell left and was staying at his grandparents. 

Mr Toal continued: "The complainer started to receive Facebook messages from the accused before calling her to tell her she was an office whore. 

"He said he was going to post intimate messages of the pair and send them to friends and family."

Speaking on Russel's behalf, Defence Solicitor Alex Muir said: "He is 19-years-old, he has already finished college an a genuine first offender. He made his plea at the first opportunity. 

"It was his first serious adult relationship. He wanted to rekindle the relationship. Quite possibly that was not going to happen. He has had not subsequent contact with the complainer."

Sheriff Leslie addressed the dock: "This is for someone who has never offended before has a good background."

Russel has been put on a community payback order for one year where he is not allowed to contact the woman. He has also been tagged for three months from 7pm and 7am.