A Potters Bar man who broke his former partner's wrist in an argument over pizza has been jailed.

Andrew Dipple, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 39 weeks behind bars at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday (September 13), after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, common assault and using violence to secure entry.

He was also hit with a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim or going to Potters Bar for an indefinite period.

If the 60-year-old breaches the order, he could face up to five years in prison.

On February 1, Dipple and his former partner had been discussing what to have for dinner when she suggested pizza, salad and garlic bread.

Dipple told her "that is full of saturated fat. No wonder you are fat", but when she responded by saying "I would rather look like me than you", he attacked her.

The victim suffered a broken wrist and was taken to hospital, where he pleaded with her not to tell staff what had happened, and to stay with him after she said they needed to separate.

The woman was in a cast and was forced to take six weeks off work due to the pain.

While she did not report Dipple, a 16-year-old boy who he had attacked earlier did. The child suffered a cut to his head, and went to the police, who were there to arrest the 60-year-old when he returned from hospital.

As part of the restraining order, he cannot contact the boy.

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After his arrest, Dipple was bailed with conditions not to go to the home in Potters Bar or to contact her, but Luton Crown Court heard he made numerous attempts at a reconciliation and, on May 14, went to her home.

"When she saw him outside the home she was on the phone to a friend. She asked her to call the police," said prosecutor Catherine Milsom.

"Dipple said he loved her and kicked at the front door. He punched the double glazed front window, smashing the glass across the front room."

Officers arrived and he was arrested, with his former partner admitting she felt "scared and vulnerable".

"I am disgusted he treated me this way," she said in a witness statement.

"He has a cruel temper and violent ways. Andrew begged me not to tell the A&E staff the name of my attacker and begged forgiveness."

As Dipple cried in the dock, judge David Bridge warned: "You are to have no direct or indirect contact with her.

"You are not to speak to her, there are to be no phone calls, no Facebook messages and no one is to pass on messages.

"If you breach this order, the punishment is up to five years custody."