A 23-YEAR-OLD man who repeatedly hit his girlfriend over the head with a metal vacuum cleaner tube has avoided jail.

John Watson, of Highworth Place, Witney, drew blood in what a judge described as a “nasty” assault on Rosemary Temple on December 29 last year.

Rachel Drake, prosecuting, said Watson had now pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, after he initially told police his girlfriend fell over on the stairs.

She told Judge Mary Jane Mowat that the defendant and his then-partner had drunk half a bottle of whiskey together and ended up arguing.

The barrister said this led to Watson throwing food on the floor and telling his victim to pick it up, before becoming enraged and grabbing her by the hair.

Miss Drake said he then struck her on the head with part of the vacuum cleaner three of four times, causing blood to run down her neck, and when the woman called the police, Watson gave her abuse, calling her fat and ugly.

She added that his now ex-girlfriend had been left with a cut on her head which needed treatment, and had described the relationship as “controlling” to police.

Daniel Wright, defending, said his client could not remember much of the attack, but accepted he had caused the injuries.

He added that after initially reporting the assault to police his victim had withdrawn her complaint because she “didn’t wish him to have a custodial sentence”.

Judge Mowat sentenced Watson, on Thursday, June 5, at Oxford Crown Court, to a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a community domestic violence programme requirement.

Our top stories: