A HEREFORD man punched his childhood sweetheart after a row about alcohol, a court has heard.

Stephen Snooks entered guilty pleas to two charges of assault by beating when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in November.

Police were called to a report of an attack at a shared house in Hereford on July 13, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

One of the victims, who had alerted emergency services, told them he had heard a commotion coming from the other victim's room and had gone to see what was happening, knocking on her door.

But Snooks answered, pushing him away and shutting the door again.

He told officers that the female victim in the room had injuries including a cut lip and bruising, while he was left with bruising to his arm.

The female victim was not supportive of a prosecution, the court was told.

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Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Snooks, said the 42-year-old had admitted what he had done from the outset.

"He told police he had hit her four times in the face," she said.

"In relation to the neighbour, he said he had thought he was acting in self-defence. It is fair, I think, to say that there was some pushing and shoving on both sides.

"The lady is his childhood sweetheart and they would like to reconcile their relationship when this is over."

Miss Di Vitantonio said things had turned physical after Snooks had lost his temper with her because she had alcohol issues and had lied to him about how much she had drunk.

"He fully accepts what he did was wrong and is extremely remorseful," she said.

Snooks, of Breinton Road, Hereford, was fined £120 and must pay costs of £135 and a £48 victim surcharge.

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