A man was handed a prison sentence and banned from Beaminster for a year after he punched his girlfriend in the face.

Ashley Spring, 28, and of Beaminster admitted the charge of assault by beating via video link at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

The court heard Spring was currently being remanded in custody at HMP Exeter.

Prosecutor, Lee Turner, said on April 14 at a Beaminster address, Spring assaulted his ex-partner, Tina Gaylard and punched her in the face.

“There’s an argument between the pair over the defendant getting help for his anger problems and Mr Spring doesn’t react well,” Mr Turner said.

Mr Turner added the owner of the address, who was downstairs, was alerted to the argument when they overheard shouting.

The court was told Spring grabbed Miss Gaylard and pushed her to the floor. When she tried to get back up, Spring punched her in the face.

Mr Turner told the court, Spring then ran down the stairs and demanded money from the property owner. When she refused, he left the property.

“When the owner of the address sees Miss Gaylard, she is upset and crying. She can see her pyjamas are ripped and the right side of her face is red,” Mr Turner said.

Ailing Tring, defending, said Spring had battled with drug issues causing him to be estranged from his family.

Miss Tring said before being taken in to custody Spring had been drug free and had now been put on script.

“He is quite determined to turn things around,” she said. “He wants to start again.”

The court heard Spring had been handed a four week sentence, suspended for six months on February 5, for two counts of assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty in May 2015. These offences do go back for three years and I ask you to take that on board,” Miss Tring said.

Chairman of the bench, Sara Saunders said although it was correct the suspended sentence be activated, the magistrates felt it would be unjust due to the time elapsed.

Spring was handed an eight week prison sentence and the operational period of the suspended sentence was extended by three months. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Miss Gaylord and a 12-month restraining order was put in place banning him from contacting Miss Gaylord or going to Beaminster.