A forklift truck driver convicted of his ninth offence of violence after an attack on his girlfriend escaped jail yesterday.

Andrew Smith pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Stephanie Walker, after the pair had gone back to her home in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, after a night on the town.

Nick Ralph, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates it was the ninth time Smith had been in court for offences against the person.

Clive Farndon, mitigating, said Smith, 34, and Miss Walker had a five-year relationship.

Although they never lived together, for most of the time the relationship had been happy and close, but it was now over.

Presiding magistrate John Carter told Smith, of Easterly Square, Gipton, Leeds, that his attack on Miss Walker had been nasty, but he would not go to prison.

Instead, he was ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work and was put on a two-year community rehabilitation order.

He was also told to pay Miss Walker £100 compensation, and £120 prosecution costs.