A man who left his partner covered in cuts and bruises after he attacked her when he flew into a drunken rage has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Steven Tinkler kicked and punched the woman when she tried to get him to leave her home after problems at a family wedding.

The 37-year-old also caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when he trashed her house and smashing two televisions.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how the defendant grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back into the house before assaulting her further.

Liz McGowan, prosecuting, said: “He dragged her to the floor and kicked her in the back. She managed to get up but he pushed down again and punched her repeatedly.

“She managed to get back up again and this time he started to throw things at her and she tried to protect herself.

“He pushed her over again and this time she hit her head on the radiator and again he kicks her to the stomach.

“She tried to phone for help but he took it off her and turned on the tap.”

Ms McGowan said the woman eventually managed to escape her house and fled from the area.

The court heard how Tinkler had caused more than £2,000 worth of damage to the woman’s belongings, including her televisions and her child’s games console.

Tinkler, of Windermere Avenue, Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage following his arrest on November 25 last year.

The defendant, who represented himself, said: “There is nothing that I can say that can change what I did – I regret what I did.

“There has been no contact between us since. If I could apologise to her I would.”

District Judge Helen Cousins sentenced Tinkler to 26-weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay compensation of £1,000 to the woman.

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She said: “An assault of this level in a domestic context is extremely serious. Domestic violence is a scourge in modern society, it happens behind closed doors and it is terrifying.

“You pleaded guilty which shows remorse, you’re a working man and the probation service believe that rehabilitation is achievable.”

Tinkler was ordered to attend 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made subject to a two-year-restraining order.