AN ATTACKER assaulted his girlfriend twice after a row broke out, a court has heard.

Kyle Barnes entered guilty pleas to two counts of assault by beating when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in December.

Barnes and the victim had been in a relationship for some time, prosecutor Mark Hambling said, but on the morning of July 16, an argument broke out between the pair.

The victim said Barnes had thrown a toy gun at her, causing bruising, in the first assault, while her head was knocked against a kitchen cupboard in the second assault, which took place on the same date.

The victim later went to hospital, where a CT scan revealed she had a concussion, Mr Hambling said.

The court heard that Barnes has previous convictions, including for battery in 2016.

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Philip Cornell, for Barnes, said the 28-year-old had not been taking his medication at the time as it makes him feel like a "zombie".

"He said in interview that they had started arguing and were screaming at each other," Mr Cornell said.

"He threw the toy gun at her but did not intend to hurt her."

The second assault came after the victim threw an item at Barnes and made a comment which upset him, Mr Cornell said.

"He said he was not aware he had caused her any injury," he said.

The court heard Barnes is not currently in work as he is struggling with high anxiety.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentencing report to be carried out by the probation service and Barnes, who is of Cornewall Street, Hereford, will appear before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing on January 3.

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