A MUM was branded a “gold-digger” by her furious ex in a heated custody battle — over their deep fat fryer.

Fuming Aidan Jones, 26, had a chip on his shoulder over the £30 kitchen appliance, claiming he had paid for it before they split.

He bombarded 25-year-old Leanne Peak with abusive texts saying he wanted the machine.

But Leanne told Manchester magistrates she had bought the fryer when she got her house.

The court heard that Jones sneaked into her home in Wythenshawe last July and unplugged the appliance — before tipping its chip fat oil over her carpet and sofa.

He then marched out clutching their fryer and window blinds.

Leanne, who has a young son, said: “He said he was taking them because he paid for them — but he didn’t, I did.”

The pair got together in late 2016 but split after a series of rows, with Leanne suspecting Jones of seeing other girls.

He was found guilty of harassment without violence after a trial but was cleared of assaulting Leanne and damaging her Fiat Punto.

He admitted criminal damage to her sofa and will be sentenced next month.