Barrow dad cries in the dock after assaulting his ex partner in front of their baby

Jordan Myles Clarke, 21, of Gradwell Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to assaulting Diane Smith at Furness Magistrates' Court on November 29.

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, told the court how the pair had been together for four years but split up two weeks prior to the incident which happened on November 15.

The complainant had been out shopping but returned to find Clarke in her home.

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An argument then ensued with the defendant slamming the fridge door which made Miss Smith feel intimidated.

He then pushed her and also tried to throw his phone at her in the heated exchange which took place in front of one of the couple's two children.

Clarke, who represented himself in court and has a previous conviction for violence three years ago, said: "I was not trying to be hurtful. We were just there in the heat of the moment.

"When push comes to shove it was a push before it came to a shove. I did not want to hurt her, I just wanted her to move back a little bit."

District Judge Gerald Chalk labelled Clarke's actions as "serious" and "pretty disgusting" but accepted that he had shown "genuine remorse."

He added: "You built a life with this woman. She is the mother of your children and she deserves your respect and support."

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Mr Chalk considered handing him a prison sentence but settled on giving him a 12-month community order which will see him complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of the same amount.

Before leaving the court, Mr Chalk said to Clarke: "Address your offending behaviour. Don't screw it up a third time."