A MAN assaulted his ex wife after seeing her in Leominster with her new partner, a court heard.

Daniel Bennett, of Hengrave Green, Ivington, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Hereford Magistrates Court last Friday.

The court heard how 27-yearold Bennett saw his ex-wife, and mother of his two children, out in the Herefordshire town with her new partner on December 19.

Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, said that there was no interaction between the pair while they were out but, after leaving a pub, she made her way back to her home address with her partner.

She went inside but the front door was left slightly ajar and when she returned to close it saw Bennett standing outside, having followed the couple from the pub.

Bennett started to shout abuse at her, the court heard, making reference to her new partner and she asked him to leave.

She walked away from the property with him but as they reached the street a verbal argument developed.

He leaned towards her and shouted in her face before grabbing her around the throat in a “strangling sort of action” for a short period of time.

He then pushed her backwards with the same hand, with such force that she fell backwards on to the ground, the court heard.

Bennett then left and was arrested by police some hours later.

He had also broken a conditional discharge for a similar offence, the court heard.

Emma Prosser, defending, said Bennett worked full time and was expecting a child with his new partner.

“I appreciate he does not have the best record but he acknowledges that,” she added.

He had worked hard in the past year to make progress, she said, and this was a “huge setback” for him.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and are due to sentence Bennett later this month.