A MAN stole a mobile from a phone shop and assaulted his ex in the street has been jailed.

Ioan McKenzie, of Churton Drive in Wrexham, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday for sentence.

The 47-year-old had previously admitted offences of theft, assault and vehicle interference.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on July 3 this year, McKenzie walked into the O2 Shop in Hope Street, Wrexham.

He took a mobile phone and a charger before leaving the premises.

The goods were worth some £238, Mr Espie said.

Then on July 9, at around 6pm, police were alerted to reports of "people fighting in the street" in Wrexham city centre.

Officers attended the scene and found McKenzie's ex-partner, Jessica Williams.

She told the police the defendant had approached her and grabbed her by the neck before releasing her.

In her victim statement, she explained she felt McKenzie had been "mentally manipulating her," and "trying to force her to get back with him."

She described him as "unpredictable" and said he belittled her in public.

The final matter for sentence was the vehicle interference, which took place on September 9 at Aston Grove in Wrexham.

McKenzie was caught by a former custody detention officer, who spotted the defendant trying to gain access to the door of his vehicle.

When he was arrested, he admitted he'd been trying car doors in the area.

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Ceri Lewis told the court: "He has had an addiction to heroin for a number of years, but he's substituted that for alcohol now and is topping up with diazepam.

"It is a sad state of affairs because he has been out of trouble for a number of years until recently.

"The reason is he lost his brother and sister recently and is struggling with bereavement.

"Regarding the vehicle interference, he has no recollection of committing that offence, and for the phone theft, he handed himself in for a voluntary interview.

"He also realises his relationship with Ms Williams is over now and he has no wish to reconcile."

The Magistrates handed down an overall custodial sentence of four weeks (two for the vehicle interference, four for the assault and four for the theft - all of which are concurrent.)

McKenzie must pay £238 compensation to o2, as well as £50 compensation to Ms Williams.

A three year restraining order was imposed in order to protect Ms Williams.