A HUSBAND-TO-BE stamped on his fiancee's head and face during a terrifying attack after the stress of planning the wedding became too much for him.

John Allen, 40, "flipped" as he and Dionne Riella, 32, walked back from having drinks at a friends house on July 28. Newcastle Crown Court heard how the pair had been long-term friends and became engaged after their relationship blossomed into romance.

Michael Graham, prosecuting, told the court there had been no previous violence before the street attack, which left Ms Riella battered and bruised. She spent two days in hospital.

Mr Graham told the court the row escalated as the pair headed towards their home in Percy Street, Jarrow.

Mr Graham said; "Miss Riella recalls being punched to the side of the head by the defendant. Other witnesses then saw her on the ground with the defendant attacking her. Two of them refer to the defendant stamping on her head or face and two refer to repeated punches."

Allen fled the scene when passers-by stepped in to help.

But when arrested by police, he confessed he had lost his temper and gone too far.

Defence barrister John Wilkinson said Allen had acted out of character and regretted what happened.

Judge Beatrice Bolton told Allen: "Looking at the circumstances what seems to have happened is that there were a number of pressures upon you leading up to this incident, not least of which was preparing for your wedding."

Allen was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment, sus-pended for two years, with a two year supervision order.