Court reporter Ted Davenport writes for the Journal.

An Exmouth man has admitted kidnapping his ex-partner after he tried to bundle her into his van outside a pub.

Carpenter Thomas Matthew had already broken into her house in Green Close and tore up a get-well card before going to a nearby pub where he attacked a man who was sat near her.

He had also assaulted her after she ended their turbulent 20-month relationship, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Matthew, aged 33, of the Midway estate, Exmouth, pleaded guilty to kidnap, assaulting the victim causing actual bodily harm, and to burgling her home. He previously admitted battery against William Bamford.

He was cleared of another charge of controlling and coercive behaviour towards the victim after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Judge Stephen Climie gave him an indication that his sentence would not be more than two years but said any decision to suspend it would depend on a probation pre-sentence report. He remanded Matthew in custody.

Mr Paul Grumbar, prosecuting, said the burglary, assault on Mr Bamford, and kidnap all took place on the same night, October 2 to 3, and started with the burglary.

He went to the victim’s home and broke in by throwing a breeze block through a window before taking her laptop and a wi-fi router which he said belonged to him.

He also ripped up a Get Well Soon card and a photograph which had been sent after she suffered an arm injury while playing rugby.

Mr Grumbar said Matthew went to a pub where the victim was drinking even though he was banned from it. He attacked a man who was sitting near her and then went outside with her and was seen trying to force her into his van, while she was saying she did not want to go with him.

Mr Simon Burns, defending, said Matthew has been in custody since his arrest and has made progress while in custody. He said he was trying to take the victim home because he believed she had been drinking all day.

He said: “She was not strong-armed into the van. He was concerned for her welfare. She did say she was not going in the van so he accepts it was against her wishes.”

Mr Burns said Matthew only tore up one card and had not destroyed other photographs at her home.