A FATHER pushed his partner to the floor and dragged her across the room in front of his four children, a court was told yesterday.

Maurice Bullock, 39, admitted assaulting Alison Green after she failed to return to their home in Esk Road, Darlington, after a wedding reception.

South Durham Magistrates' Court was told that Ms Green decided to stay at her sister's house after the party because she had had a lot to drink.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said that when the woman rang home on the morning after the wedding, Bullock was angry and told her he would pack her bags and leave them outside.

Magistrates sitting in Darlington heard that when Ms Green returned home, Bullock grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her to the floor.

Once on her feet again he pulled her across the room by her arm, threw her out of the house and then locked the door.

Peter Bradford, in mitigation, said his client was extremely unhappy and angry that Ms Green had stayed out all night.

He said the back injuries may have been caused when she fell down the stairs at her sister's house.

He said the incident was out of character for Bullock.

Magistrates fined him £250, plus £55 costs.