By our court reporter Elaine King A MAN who broke wind in bed was whipped around the legs with a mobile phone cable after his teenage partner Joshua McNamara complained about the smell he had made. Mark Reed had gone to bed around midnight – and passed w

By our court reporter Elaine King

A MAN who broke wind in bed was whipped around the legs with a mobile phone cable after his teenage partner Joshua McNamara complained about the smell he had made.

Mark Reed had gone to bed around midnight - and passed wind as McNamara arrived in the bedroom.

The attack left Mr Reed suffering with a red mark to his legs, and police were called to his Wisbech home around midnight on March 28.

Eighteen-year-old McNamara had previously admitted assault, and was sentenced at Wisbech courthouse today.

Magistrates said they had considered giving McNamara a jail sentence for the assault, but instead gave ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and gave him a 12-month supervision order. He must pay �85 court costs.

Prosecuting, Andrea Fawcett said police went to an address in Weston Miller Drive in Wisbech around midnight on March 28, following a report of a domestic argument, when one partner had assaulted another.

Mr Reed told police he had retired to bed around midnight. As McNamara had walked into the bedroom, Mr Reed had broken wind.

Complaining about the emanating smell, McNamara whipped him round the legs with a mobile phone he had in his hands, causing a red mark.

"The defendant said he did not like it when Mark Reed passed wind in the bedroom because he couldn't sleep," she said.

"He had a cable in his hand, and whipped Mr Reed with it. He had not intended to hit him as hard as he did; but he did not know his own strength."

Mr Reed had accompanied McNamara to court, said solicitor John Clarke.

"It seems Mr Reed cares very much for the defendant," he said. "He is not someone who appears to be afraid of my client; although the probation service said my client was very controlling."

He said that McNamara, of Ellindon, Bretton, Peterborough, had previously acted as his victim's carer.

The court declined to make an order prohibiting McNamara from contacting Mr Reed in the future.