A roofer who assaulted his ex-partner while in a jealous rage has been sentenced to 160 hours’ community service.

Nathan Isaac Miller Holliday, of Willaston Crescent, Douglas, pushed the woman against a wall and dragged her back into the house when she tried to escape.

The 30-year-old admitted an offence of common assault on a female and was also ordered to pay £125 costs.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court Holliday went to his ex’s home at Hillside Terrace in Douglas on January 30 at 5.10pm when she wasn’t there.

He was said to have looked at her phone and got angry when he saw she had been contacting other men.

When she arrived home he threw a bottle of water at her then grabbed her by the face, pushing her against a wall.

She tried to escape but Holliday grabbed her as she was leaving the house and dragged her back inside.

By the time police arrived he had left but he was later arrested.

When interviewed he admitted going to the woman’s house and going through her phone.

He said he became angry as he suspected she had been contacting other men and admitted pushing her against a wall and onto a sofa as well as dragging her into the house.

The woman suffered reddening to her face and neck and a sore chest.

Advocate David Reynolds said that Holliday had previously been in a relationship with the woman for five years.

’On the day, he says he had gone round after they had agreed to talk about the possibility of the relationship continuing.

’Whilst there he took it upon himself to look at her mobile phone and has not liked what he has seen.’

The advocate went on to say that Holliday had suffered a bereavement and had lost control of his emotions at the time.

He added: ’He deeply regrets that. Under no circumstances would it be justified.’

Magistrates ordered him to pay the costs at a rate of £20 per week.