A FORMER Hereford man who repeatedly punched his girlfriend in an assault at a Ross-on-Wye property has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Ian Phillip Smith, 39, punched his partner Emma Hudson in the head in the early hours of January 20, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said the assault happened after an argument broke out over what the couple would do next.

He said Smith, who has recently been living in an Edgar Street B&B but has since moved to Cornwall, became aggressive towards her.

Ms Hudson was punched between 20 and 30 times.

"Smith told her the only way she would leave him was in a pine box," Mr Walters said. "He said he laid into her and the red mist came down.

"Police found her holding a bag of frozen vegetables against her face to try to take away some of the pain," he said.

Eric Waley, for the defence, said Smith admitted the assault and was not a danger to society.

"Mr Smith called the police and he apologised. He said that he should not behave like that," he said.

"There was very little in the way of physical damage - there were a few red marks and that is about it."

Judge Toby Hooper said: "This was a cruel and wanton act on a woman you were supposed to be caring for.

"It should not be thought that you are walking free because the requirement placed on you represents a serious shackle on your liberty."

Smith was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 24 months and a two-year supervision order with a requirement to attend a programme dealing with domestic violence.