A VOLATILE relationship came to an end when a man called Banana threw a plant pot at his partner who was called Orange.

Blackburn magistrates heard care worker Themba Banana had been drinking wine prior to the incident at their former home in Melville Drive, Blackburn.

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Banana, 29, of Lovat Road, Preston, pleaded guilty to assaulting Sarah Orange and causing an offensive message to be sent by means of a public communications network.

He was given a community order with 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £175 compensation, £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Miss Orange told police Banana had hit her previously but he got as good as he gave when that happened.

On the day of the offence he had returned from a night shift and had been drinking wine.

"An argument started because he was whispering on the phone and she thought he was talking to another woman," said Miss Allan. "The police were called and told him to leave and sober up."

Later in the day Banana returned and the argument continued. He threw a plant pot which hit Miss Orange in the stomach. She called the police again and while she was on the phone he was heard to make obscene, racist comments.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said Banana had called the police first and had left the house when they asked him to.

"The wine he had drunk affected him because he hadn't slept since finishing work," said Mr Bakhat.

"He will potentially lose his job as a result of this conviction."