REMORSEFUL removal man Stephen Elder walked into a police station, broke down in tears and confessed to attacking the mother of his three children, a court was told yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates heard how 33-year-old Elder punched his partner of nine years, Claire Scallan, in the face during a row over clothes, knocking her to the floor of their home in the town.

Stephanie Waite, prosecuting, said Ms Scallan had been putting shopping away while a taxi waited outside the couple's home to take her to collect their three children from a cousin's, at about 6.30pm on September 20.

Elder had suddenly appeared in the doorway and accused her of wearing a top belonging to him.

When Elder, now living with his brother in Newby Crescent, on Harrogate's Jennyfield Estate, pleaded guilty to assault, his solicitor, Geoffrey Rogers, told the court he had immediately been filled with remorse.

He said: "He bitterly regretted his action and walked straight from the house to the police station in floods of tears before breaking down completely and admitting what he had done."

Mr Rogers said that there had been problems with the couple's relationship for more than a year.

Elder realised he had been drinking too much, because of the difficulties and the death of his father, and had sought help with the problems from the Harrogate Alcohol and Drugs Agency.

He said Ms Scallan had come to court to support her partner, and added: "Although not reconciled, they are building bridges all the time and it may be that ultimately they will get back together.

"But Elder feels it is not the right time to go back home yet, because he still needs help with the drinking and anger."

Elder was made subject to a two-year community order requiring probation supervision and attendance on a domestic abuse programme. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation and £50 costs.