A man has been jailed after he punched a woman in the face.

Michael Walker, 33, flew into a rage after spotting Charmaine French outside a recreation centre in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Ms French was the best friend of Walker's girlfriend and had been waiting to meet her.

Aisha Wadoodi, prosecuting, said: "She saw the defendant and his face was full of anger.

"He said 'I want a word with you, what have you been saying?' She was frightened and thought he was going to headbutt her.

"She could not move, he was right up against her and she felt terrified. He told her, 'Do not think I can't spark you out. I have got someone really good who is going to do it'."

The court heard Walker, of Locomotive Street, Darlington, continued to make threats before spitting on his victim, pushing her and punching her in the face.

Ms French suffered bruising and swelling to her jaw and in a statement to police said she had been badly affected by the incident, said Ms Wadoodi.

Walker, who had a number of previous convictions for violence and had also served 21 months for kidnapping, pleaded guilty yesterday to common assault.

Judge Michael Taylor, jailing him for two months, said: "You have an unpleasant temper and you are quite prepared to threaten people."