A FAMILY dispute resulted in a man pushing a pregnant woman in “self-defence”, a court was told.

A row errupted while defendant, Mark Harborne, his partner Julie Martin and her daugher Jade Smith were out at the Camp Inn, Grimley, on Saturday, July 2.

Liam Finch, prosecuting, said there was some “bad feeling” between Ms Smith and Harborne on the day in question and this escalated when other members of the family, who had been present, left.

In a statement, Ms Martin said she told Harborne to “leave it” but he continued to row with Ms Smith.

She claimed she could see “fury” in the 42-year-old’s eyes and he became angry, smashing two glasses together on the table.

He then picked up other glasses which were partially full and threw the drinks into the women’s faces.

All parties were standing by this time and Harborne pushed Ms Smith on the shoulders, causing her to fall onto her side.

He then grabbed her hair before Ms Martin intervened and the matter was brought to an end.

Harborne pleaded guilty to assault by beating, which breached a conditional discharge he received last September for separate assault offence.

Simon Deeley, defending, said, while he admitted pushing his victim, his client had alleged Ms Smith could be aggressive and so he pushed her in “self-defence” when she stood up.

Ms Smith was pregnant at the time and it was not a pre-meditated assault, said Mr Deeley.

Magistrates decided to adjourn the hearing for a pre-sentence report and released Harborne of Mill Street, Diglis, Worcester, on conditional bail.

He must not have direct or indirect contact with Jade Smith and must co-operate with the probation service in the completion of the report.

He will return to court on Monday, September 5 to be sentenced.