AN ABUSIVE Hereford man has been handed a community order after smashing a smartphone.

Robert Smith appeared before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing in January after entering guilty pleas to one count of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, and one count of causing criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 at an earlier hearing.

Hereford Times:

The court heard from prosecutor Mark Hambling that the 31-year-old had, without lawful excuse, and intending to destroy or damage it or being reckless as to whether it was destroyed or damaged, destroyed a Samsung smartphone belonging to a woman in Hereford on December 17.

OTHER NEWS:

He had also, with intent to cause a police officer harassment, alarm or distress, used threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour in Hereford on the same date, the court was told.

Smith, who is of Bridle Road in Hereford, was handed a nine-month community order and fined £100, with magistrates saying they had taken his guilty pleas into account when imposing the penalty.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a £114 victim surcharge.

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