A MAN admitted domestic violence after a row erupted over "stolen" Pepsi.

Gregory Sleigh assaulted his ex-girlfriend Broghan Fowler in Peacehaven.

The 26-year-old confronted her in the kitchen of a shared home and reportedly grabbed her by the throat, a court heard.

Ms Fowler was knocked backwards to the floor during the incident.

The row had erupted when Ms Fowler accused Sleigh of stealing her fizzy drink, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

She went downstairs determined to steal Sleigh’s ketchup in retribution.

The court heard how the incident had unfolded in June last year.

They had previously split up, but by coincidence ended up living in the same shared house together.

It put Sleigh, of Mitchelldean, Peacehaven, in breach of a restraining order imposed after a previous incident in 2018.

In court it was revealed how Ms Fowler believed Sleigh had stolen her Pepsi which she wanted as a mixer for her alcohol.

She had seen him with a fizzy drink upstairs.

But Sleigh says he had not stolen Ms Fowler’s Pepsi, and had used his own Coca Cola.

He was upset about being accused of something he had not done.

Ms Fowler decided to take a bottle of ketchup to get even, and a row broke out, the court heard.

Sleigh grabbed or pushed her and she fell against the kitchen counter, bruising her hip.

She claimed he had choked her and the police were called.

Sleigh denied putting his hands on Ms Fowler’s throat but admitted pushing her.

The court was told he was “extremely remorseful” and accepted that following Ms Fowler downstairs was a bad idea.

Magistrates ordered Sleigh to complete a community order after he admitted assault and breaching a restraining order.

He must pay a £146 fine along with a £95 surcharge and £85 costs, and was told to complete 15 rehabilitation sessions with the probation service.

Sleigh was also put under a restraining order not to contact Ms Fowler directly or indirectly for one year.

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