A LANGPORT man who bit his girlfriend during an incident of domestic violence, has been found guilty of assault.

Charles Guest, 25, of Chatham Place, bit, pinned down and held his hands around the neck of Kelly Pope in a row over Facebook trust on the night of April 23.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by beating and two counts of criminal damage, but was found guilty at Taunton Magistrates Court during a trial on August 9.

Prosecuting, Mr Sam Jones, told the court how Miss Pope and Guest, who had been in a relationship for four months, had been arguing over messages on social media, following a family gathering at Miss Pope's North Petherton home.

He said: "Guest grabbed Miss Pope and pinned her to the sofa.

"He grabbed her wrists and only released her to put his hand round her neck.

"He bit her hand and when he let her go, picked up her iPhone and bent it, causing the screen to smash."

The court heard how Guest tried to leave the property with the phone, but the door was locked.

Miss Pope said she would unlock the door if the phone was returned.

Mr Jones said: "They argued on the doorstep and Miss Pope called her mother to come over.

"Michelle Pope, Kelly's mother, arrived and Miss Pope and Guest continued arguing, before Guest admitted to Michelle what happened."

Two days later on April 25 2016, Guest returned to Miss Pope's home around 8pm in the evening.

Mr Jones said: "She let him in and they talked, but it turned heated.

"They began arguing and Guest left, taking Miss Pope's temporary Samsung phone with him.

"He was still outside and refused to give it back, before walking off.

"The police were called and Officer Slocombe found the broken phone outside.

"Guest was arrested at 12am on April 26."

In court, Miss Pope said: "He pushed me back down, pinned my wrists then put his hands around my neck.

"I told him he was scaring me. He has taken all my confidence away.

Guest denied the assault and taking the phones, stating he pushed Miss Pope in self-defence.

Defending, Mr Bill Gayer, said: "Guest has told me he acted in self-defence.

"He said Miss Pope was angry and scratched his face.

"She attacked him and damaged her own property in anger, and her evidence does not match up to her witness statement she gave to the police.

"It's inconsistent.

"He denies possessing the phones and wasn't let out of the house.

"Guest has one previous conviction of drink driving."

Guest was found guilty of one count of assault by beating and two counts of criminal damage.

He was ordered not to contact Miss Pope or her mother, and was given conditional bail.

He will be sentenced on September 6 at Taunton Magistrates Court.