A BARROW man has been jailed after being found guilty at a trial of punching his former partner in the face.

Steven Thomas Arthur Smith appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday for trial and was convicted of two counts of the assault by beating of Joanne Lockley.

Smith, 37, who had denied the charges, was jailed for 100 days for the two offences.

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said that on April 16 Smith had grabbed his ex partner by the neck and kicked her while she was on the floor, causing minor injuries.

The court then heard that on May 17 Smith had punched the victim with a clenched first in the face while a child was present. This had caused a black eye.

Smith, represented by Mr Sean Harkin, claimed they were "false allegations". He denied using violence, but said they had been arguing over him smoking cannabis.

Smith, of Cragg Street, Barrow, suggested to the court that he had been hit with a can pipe, used for smoking cannabis.

Judge Gerald Chalk jailed Smith, saying there there were aggravating features, such as a child being present.

Smith was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to Miss Lockley and a seven-year restraining order was made stopping Smith from having contact with her.