George Zimmerman arrested after alleged domestic dispute, ordered to surrender firearms

George Zimmerman has been arrested and charged with "aggravated assault with a weapon" following an alleged domestic dispute.

This is the third time he has been arrested since being acquitted of the murder of unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin, in the latest of a series of encounters with the police.

The acquittal prompted a national debate on race and self-defense laws.

Zimmerman, 31, was arrested in Lake Mary, Florida at around 10pm (5pm GMT) on Friday night. He was then held at the John E Polk Correctional Facility. After a court

After a court appearance on 10 January, he was released on a bail bond of $5,000. Judge John Galluzzo ordered the former neighbourhood watchman to surrender his firearms and to have no further contact with the female alleged victim in the case. The judge also told Zimmerman to hand over any personal belongings the woman may have left at his home to his lawyer. Zimmerman joked with an officer as he signed paperwork. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 17th.

Judge John Galluzzo ordered the former neighbourhood watchman to surrender his firearms and weapons, and to have no further contact with the female alleged victim in the case. The judge also told Zimmerman to hand over any personal belongings the woman may have left at his home to his lawyer. Zimmerman joked with an officer as he signed paperwork. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 17th.

The judge also told Zimmerman to hand over any personal belongings the woman may have left at his home to his lawyer. Zimmerman joked with an officer as he signed paperwork. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 17th.

Zimmerman reportedly joked with an officer as he signed paperwork. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 17th.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 17 February.

Zimmerman's lawyer Don West has told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper that his client was charged after allegedly throwing a bottle of wine at his girlfriend several days ago.

The Sentinel also reported that, as of September 2014, Zimmerman claimed he was unemployed and homeless, and heavily in debt from legal bills.

Since his acquittal for the homicide of Martin on 13 July 2013, Zimmerman has been arrested on three occasions by Lake Mary police. In September 2013 his estranged wife, Shellie Zimmerman phoned the police, allegedly following a domestic incident. She did not press charges.

In September 2013 his estranged wife, Shellie Zimmerman phoned the police, allegedly following a domestic incident. She did not press charges.

In November, 2013, Zimmerman was arrested for alleged domestic violence against his girlfriend, Samantha Scheibe. She also later dropped charges.

Finally, September, 2014 Zimmerman was arrested for an alleged road rage incident. Allegedly, he said to a truck driver, "Do you know who I am?" before adding, "I'll (expletive) kill you."

Zimmerman's acquittal prompted a national debate on race, gun rights, and Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense laws.