A QUEENSFERRY man punched his ex-girlfriend and tried to throw her down the stairs after accusing her of cheating on him, a court heard.

James Howe, of Kingsley Gardens, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Friday.

The 42-year-old admitted offences of burglary, assault by beating and theft in Rhyl on February 5.

Philip Clemo, prosecuting, told the court Howe had been in a relationship with the victim - Ann Marie Railey - on and off for about six years.

He’d stayed at her address in Aquarium Street, Rhyl, the night before the offences and there had been ‘no issues’.

But on the day concerned, he drank vodka and took crack and heroin.

At about 5pm he began to accuse her of cheating on him and said he wasn’t going to leave until he had some money.

She gave him £20 but later realised he’d taken an extra £20 from her pocket before leaving.

Later, Ms Railey had a number of messages from him asking if he could come round, but she didn’t want him to.

Then at about 10pm she heard a noise outside and discovered him climbing up the drainpipe, believing he was going to try to climb through her bathroom window.

There was a knock and then he barged his way into her bedroom, demanding to know who was in there.

He said he needed more money for the train, taking her mobile and offering to give it back in exchange for cash.

After trying the same with her car keys, he hit her on the left temple before throwing more punches.

He took hold of her and “tried to throw her down the stairs” but she got away from him.

Howe was arrested later that day and found to be in possession of loose change, which was believed to have come from a money box he’d picked up in Ms Railey’s bedroom, the court heard.

Myles Wilson, defending, said it had been an “unpleasant” incident, stating the two had separated some weeks previously.

He emphasised his client had wanted to plead guilty “immediately.”

Judge David Hale told Howe: “You have behaved very badly to this lady.

“You have a pretty awful record for, in the main, minor offences.

“You have such a chaotic life - you have addictions to alcohol and no doubt drugs as well.”

Howe received a 16 month custodial sentence for the burglary, with one month concurrent sentences handed down for the other two charges.

The Judge gave Howe an extra 30 days imprisonment to be served consecutively, for breaching a suspended sentence, making his total jail term 17 months.

A four-year restraining order was also made preventing him from contacting Ms Railey, as well as entering Aquarium Street.