A 28-YEAR-old has been given a community order for assaulting his girlfriend on three separate occasions.

James Price of Kenwater Close, Leominster had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating on Stacey Painter, whom he had been with for around five years.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, at Hereford Magistrates' Court, said Price first assaulted Ms Painter on September 28, when an argument broke out between them at their home.

He grabbed her jacket and her arm, and dragged her some seven metres, and she sustained grazing injuries to her back.

Then on October 1 they were both in their kitchen where she was ironing, and another argument broke out. He grabbed her head and pushed her forward and she caught her arm on the hot iron. She had bruising to her eye and burn marks on her arm.

Another argument broke out on October 20 and he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him- she did not sustain any injuries.

The court was told Ms Painter did not want a restraining order, as they are getting help and are going to make a go of their relationship.

Marilena Divitantonio, mitigating, said it was clear Price needed help and education in terms of his problem-solving skills and it had been punishment enough to be away from his family, due to bail conditions.

Price was given a community order for 18 months, to include a 40 day rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Ms Painter, and to pay prosecution costs of £100, a criminal court charge of £150 and a victim surcharge of £60.