A VIOLENT boyfriend who was banned from going near his partner was found hiding in her loft naked when police searched the house, a court heard.

The woman was panicking and visibly shaking when officers knocked at the door of her Middlesbrough home and asked if she had seen Dwaine Dobson.

Teesside Crown Court heard on Friday she maintained she had not seen her boyfriend, but the 21-year-old was discovered undressed in the corner of the attic.

He had been served with a non-molestation order to keep away from the woman on February 24 after he appeared before magistrates for twice assaulting her.

But Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said Dobson breached the order the next day when he barged his way into her home, saying: "I've come for my stuff."

After being told their relationship was over, he repeatedly slapped the woman across the face and struck her left eye, causing swelling and bruising, said Miss Lamballe.

Police were called after Dobson fled from the house, in Garrett Walk, but when they returned a week later to carry out a check, they found him there again - in the loft.

Dobson, of Herbert Street, Darlington, admitted two breaches of the restraining order and common assault, and was given a community order with supervision.

Judge Howard Crowson also banned him from going into licensed premises in the Darlington borough and ordered an alcohol treatment programme.