A MAN who spat food on his partner after an argument broke out when he returned home drunk has admitted assaulting her.

Mark David Johnson, 34, landed himself in court after committing the offence having returned to his home in Angle Meadow Lane in Barrow.

South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard the defendant spat on his partner Sherrona Shaw on February 23.

The dad pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said: “It’s domestic violence.

“At 9.30pm the defendant returns home drunk and he has then spat a mouthful of food at her which has hit her on her shoulder.

“He said he returned home drunk and they had an argument and he wanted to get away from her. He said he’s sorry and embarrassed by his drunken behaviour."

Defending Johnson, Karen Templeton said: “This case comes to court because of his admissions. There was a retraction statement from his partner.

“He’s been with this lady for 13 years, they have a son together. He very much regrets what happened.

“He isn’t someone who has an alcohol problem but he accepts now that sometimes if he drinks he loses his temper.”

The court heard the self-employed builder had 102 hours of unpaid work left to complete from a previous conviction, having been interrupted by health problems and the coronavirus pandemic.

He was handed a new sentence of 152 hours’ unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.