A FATHER who spat in his partner's face after an argument over money has avoided punishment if he stays out of trouble for a year.

At Worcester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Gary Lane, aged 44, pleaded guilty to assaulting Paula Young, his partner of four years.

The court heard that Lane had drunk five or six pints on Tuesday, November 22, during which he and Miss Young argued over how a benefit payment had been spent.

Following the altercation, police were called and Lane agreed to stay at a friend's house. However, when he arrived, he found the friend was not in.

He returned to the couple's home in Temple Mews, Littleworth Road, Evesham to pick up some warm clothes and began to argue with Miss Young again.

Douglas Marshall, prosecuting, said: "He spat at her, which sprayed in her face and she slapped him in the face.

"He threw things around and a plastic tray from their daughter's highchair hit her. He was arrested and taken to the police station where he was unable to say what he did."

The court heard that Miss Young sustained only a minor injury and Dawn Cooper, for Lane, said that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest time.

Miss Young also wrote to the court saying that she wanted to resume the relationship.

"He's put his hands up. He accepts that he lost his temper and may well have thrown a tray but they wish to put this matter behind them," she said.

Lane was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £43 costs.