A MAN has been given a curfew and branded "pathetic" for attacking a woman in a row over hair straighteners.
Ross Young, 21, pulled Sharon Hersey to the floor by her t-shirt and punched her in the head twice before kicking her in the knee.
Young, of Panton Close, West Croydon, had gone to the flat in St James's Road with Miss Hersey's former partner to demand the return of a friend's hair straighteners.
They forced their way inside the property, chased her upstairs and asked for the straighteners back. Miss Hersey replied: "She can come round and get them herself."
Miss Hersey ran downstairs into the living room, where Young pulled her to the ground and lashed out. After the attack, he and Miss Hersey's ex-boyfriend fled the address.
Young pleaded guilty to assault by beating when he appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday).
The court heard he was of previous good character and rarely left home because he is, in effect, "claustrophobic".
He was given a three month community order enforced by a curfew which means he must be at his address in Panton Close between 9pm and 7am every day. He was also fined and made to pay a victim surcharge totalling £165.
The magistrate said: "You can't go kicking people, especially when you are wearing shoes. It's very dangerous, particularly when they are on the floor. If you kicked them in the head, who knows what could have happened.
"For a pair of hair straighteners this is pathetic. Choose your friends more wisely."
