Boyfriend dragged pizza-throwing girl ‘around by her hair’

Joseph Mengellah, of Sidgreaves Lane, Lea Town, Preston, went on to cause a “whirlwind” of damage at her parents home on a quiet leafy suburban street.

Mengellah appeared before Preston Magistraes’ Court where he admmitted charges of assault by beating and criminal damage.

Prosecuting, Martine Connah said the two had started arguing as they arrived at the girl’s parents address, on Valentine’s Way, Cottam, Preston, after a night out on March 1.

The court was shown CCTV footage taken from the girl’s parents home of the assault, in which the 21-year-old defendant appeared to kick his girlfriend as she was on the ground.

It appeared he was trying to grab her bag to get the keys to get in.

He went on to cause more than £3,000 damage to a uPVC door, three windows and numerous items at the address, which the court was shown images of.

The court heard the couple had reconciled since the incident and both had been drinking at the time it happened.

Mengellah’s mum listened from the public gallery as the chairman of the bench said: “ I’m sure you would have been terribly embarrassed as to what occurred.

“The other factor is the cost of damage caused to the property that looks like a whirlwind hit it.

“I would say its vandalism of a high nature.”

He was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work by the bench, and must pay a £465 fine, £620 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and £145 criminal court charge.