A SCHIZOPHRENIC dad who attacked his estranged wife felt he had “no other way of making his feelings clear” to her, a court was told.
Robert Bargh was said by victim Alicja Bargh to have “exploded with rage” after the victim, who he had been married to for four years, had tried to grab his phone. He jumped on the sofa, grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the floor. The defendant then punched her twice after she landed, Pennine magistrates heard.
Bargh (41), of Marsden Hall Road North, Nelson, admitted assault by beating. He received a community order, with 12 months supervision. He must pay £50 compensation and £85 costs.
Mr Andrew Robinson (prosecuting) said the defendant and victim had split up about two months before the incident. Towards the end of the relationship, Mrs Bargh would say, he had become jealous and it was unbearable to live together. He had never hit her.
Mrs Bargh went to the house they had previously shared after the defendant rang, wanting to speak about their relationship. Bargh had formed another relationship, his phone went off, she thought it was another woman, asked to see it and he refused. She then grabbed the phone and was assaulted.
The defendant had no previous convictions.
Mr Ben Leech, for Bargh, said he would say he had made it clear the relationship was over. The victim would make excuses to go round, wanting to see him. The defendant would say it was clear she wanted to rekindle the relationship.
Bargh accepted he reacted badly to his wife’s attempts to grab his phone. It was a momentary loss of control, there had been nothing similar in the past and he regretted his actions.
Mr Leech said the defendant had schizophrenia and his mental health had since deteriorated.
He had lost his employment and was on disability living allowance.
The solicitor added: “He felt this was the last resort. He felt there was no other way of making his feelings clear.”