AN Ipswich man grabbed his ex-girlfriend by the throat, because she taunted him that she had had sex with his best friend.Simon Peck had been out drinking with his former partner Lisa Chittock when the assault took place.

AN Ipswich man grabbed his ex-girlfriend by the throat, because she taunted him that she had had sex with his best friend.

Simon Peck had been out drinking with his former partner Lisa Chittock when the assault took place.

Two police officers saw Peck shouting at Miss Chittock in Portman Road, before he grabbed her throat and pushed her to the ground.

Peck, 21, of Hawthorn Drive pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to committing common assault on October 19. Peck told police he and Miss Chittock had a child but their relationship had ended and they had been apart for three months.

He said that they had both drunk eight vodkas and Miss Chittock started telling him about men she had been with since their split.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said: “He got angry because she said she had been sleeping with his best friend and she was laughing at him.”

Craig Marchant, mitiging, said: “When he was arrested he said 'you don't understand she slept with my friend'. It does not justify his behaviour it was reactionary behaviour by provocation of a nature nobody wishes to hear. He is sorry for what happened.”

Mr Marchant said Miss Chittock had not wanted to press charges and the pair have remained friends.

Magistrates' fined Peck, who was a railway track man, £300 and told to him to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £65 towards court costs.