BRADFORD MAN WITH 8 CHILDREN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SMASHING WIFE'S PHONE IN DOMESTIC ROW
A man grabbed hold of his wife's phone and smashed it when she filmed him.Father-of-eight Simon Gardner was having a row with her at their Bradley home on February 17.
Prosecutor Natalie Chapman told Kirklees magistrates : "During an argument the victim got her phone out and started filming the defendant.
"He grabbed it and threw it to the floor, causing the screen to smash." The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
He told police that he snapped because his wife was filming him and getting into his face.
Magistrates were told that his wife wished to retract her statement but he had already admitted to the offence.
Mark Mangano, mitigating, explained that the couple have been together for 11 years and married last September.
He said that his client has eight children, two with his wife, and has since replaced the damaged phone.
Mr Mangano added: "He was working for a haulage company and as a result of being arrested from work his employment wasn't continued." Magistrates handed Gardner, of Sherwood Avenue, a 12 month conditional discharge.
This means that he will not be punished if he stays out of trouble during this period.
He will still have to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.
