A MAN who hit his ex-girlfriend in the face while holding a mobile phone in his hand has been jailed for eight weeks.

Danny Gould, 26, pictured, hit the woman during a row over a missing laptop computer, Plymouth Magistrates' Court was told.

District Judge Paul Farmer said that he had a history of violence and was already serving a prison sentence, so only custody was appropriate for the latest offence.

Gould, of Hill Crest, Mutley, has already been locked up for breaching his release licence for a five-year term imposed in February 2007.

Gould was part of a gang of four who repeatedly punched and kicked a man, leaving him severely injured. He admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He will not be released until at least June next year.

Gould had denied assaulting the woman by beating on December 16 last year, but was found guilty after a trial in his absence.

Michael French, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that the ex-girlfriend went to his house to pick up her laptop.

He added that Gould told her it had been stolen but she suspected he had sold it.

Mr French said that Gould was in a bad mood apparently because he had been woken up and an argument broke out.

He added: "In the course of the argument, he struck her across the face while holding a mobile phone in his hand."

Owen Lawton, for Gould, said that his ex-girlfriend was not hurt at all in the assault. He added that the woman had pushed him and he had hit out in anger.

Mr Lawton said that Gould "expressed sorrow" about the assault.