A pub worker who assaulted his former girlfriend has been tagged and ordered to stay away from her by Skipton magistrates.

Stephen Akid, 24, was also given an 18-month community order with supervision and ordered to pay £75 compensation for the assault by beating of Elizabeth Merifield and the destruction of her laptop computer.

Akid, who lives and works at a pub in Main Street, Grassington, had been in a difficult relationship with Ms Merifield and in February last year had smashed her computer, the court heard.

On October 17 he had been at Ms Merifield’s home in Main Street when the pair had argued about messages he had received from another woman. Akid had grabbed his girlfriend around the neck, causing her to scream and to taste blood. Akid, who admitted both offences, had since given Ms Merifield £300 for a laptop.

His curfew will run for six weeks, on Thursdays and Fridays between 9pm and 7am, and he will have to pay compensation of £75 to Ms Merifield. He will pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £60.

Magistrates also agreed to a restraining order banning Akid from approaching Ms Merifield by any means.