A MAN grabbed his girlfriend by the throat and hit her head against a bench in public during the late afternoon in Hereford.

Krystian Ropel pleaded guilty to assaulting Claire Banford on July 12 at 4pm by the duck pond in Cantilupe Street.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard 14-year-old witnesses saw the assault and told a member of the public who called the police.

The witnesses reported seeing Ropel grab Ms Banford by the jaw and push her head into the side of a bench, which caused her to bleed.

She was screaming and he grabbed her by the throat. He then threw a rock at her before he pushed her to the ground.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said he had 14 convictions since November 24, 2010 and that Ms Banford is a repeat victim at his hands.

She said Ms Banford is very vulnerable and they are both alcoholics.

Ropel, 29, admitted breaching an 18-month conditional discharge which was given to him on May 26 for two offences of assault.

Marilena Divitantonio, defending, said Ropel had a problem with drink but had received no structured help in relation to that.

She said he is homeless and has been for some time. She said he sleeps in the tents near to Bartonsham Farm down by the river in Hereford.

Ropel was remanded in custody because there was substantial risk he may commit another crime. His sentencing had been adjourned to July 29.