A MAN dubbed Britain’s worst dad is behind bars after he failed to turn up at court to face a charge of assaulting an ex-girlfriend and stealing from her.

Keith Macdonald, said to have nine children by eight different women, was due in court in June after he headbutted Stephanie Jubb in an argument over a cheese toastie, leaving her with a bloody nose.

Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard he then snatched £80 and Miss Jubb’s mobile phone before fleeing the house they shared in Meadow Street, East Rainton, near Durham.

Miss Jubb, 24, ran to a neighbour’s house to call 999 and said she had been “angry and upset” since the incident, on March 1.

The couple had an on-off relationship but began living together in February.

Macdonald, 28, failed to appear at court for his trial on June 13 but was convicted of assault, theft and criminal damage in his absence.

He was brought before magistrates on Thursday (November 1) after handing himself in to police; and admitted absconding.

Gavin Sword, for Macdonald, said he had been living in Stoke-on-Trent and had intended to travel back to Sunderland for the trial but had lost his ticket and could not afford to replace it.

John Scott, the chairman of the bench, ordered Macdonald be held in custody for two weeks while the Probation Service prepares a pre-sentence report on him and warned him all options would be examined, including jail.