A MAN who beat up his girlfriend then threatened to smash her front door with an axe has been remanded in custody.

Dean Badcock, 39, assaulted Carly Newcombe after their one-year relationship ended, Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court heard.

He held Ms Newcombe around the neck and “beat her up” leaving her with a sore lip, prosecutor Rob Simkins told the court.

She refused to make a formal complaint but he then went to her flat in Ebbw Vale on the Saturday and began hacking at her front door with an axe, the court heard.

Backcock was “shouting and raving”, banging on her door and told her: “I’ve got an axe for you. I’m coming through the door”, the court was told.

Ms Newcombe reported the incident at around 4.15am and he was arrested by police, the court heard.

Badcock , of Princes Court, Ebbw Vale, appeared in custody before District Judge John Charles.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault and a further count of using violence for the purpose of securing an entry into premises.

He also admitted a further charge of handling stolen goods for having left a stolen Navigator Time watch worth £2,000 at a pawn shop in Ebbw Vale.

His solicitor, David Lewis, said Badcock had lost a relative in a car crash and not slept properly for at least three weeks, adding anything irritable could “set him off”.

Mr Lewis told the court he had bought the watch off a suspected burglar for around £200 and had taken it to pawnbrokers to have it valued.

Mr Lewis expressed concerns about his client’s mental health and made an application for bail.

Judge Charles remanded Badcock in custody so that a pre-sentence report can be produced and the hearing was adjourned to Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court on September 23.