A MAN who pressed his foot on his pregnant girlfriend's stomach and banged her head against a wall has walked free from court.

Anthony Leech, 25, was given a 12-month conditional discharge after he admitted common assault.

Leech, of Warren Street, Middlesbrough, had denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was facing a trial before his plea was accepted by prosecutors yesterday.

Prosecuting barrister Martina Connolly said Georgina Wright-King was six months pregnant with their child when she was attacked in July.

The couple had been watching television at their home when a row erupted and they ended up tussling on the floor.

Miss Connolly said Miss Wright-King accepted she was partly to blame because she had not been taking her medication and "flipped" over something.

Miss Wright-King, who plans to move in with her boyfriend and his mother after the baby is born next month, was arrested and cautioned for a public order offence after she swore at police because she did not want Leech to be arrested.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough told Leech: "Behave yourself and make sure you are a good father to your child."