A DAD who assaulted his 'terrified' girlfriend had a temper tantrum when a judge told him to stop wallowing in 'self-pity'.

Shaun Smith beat up his partner so badly at her Worcester flat she was taken to A&E, receiving six stitches to her eye.

The 46-year-old repeatedly interrupted the judge at Worcester Crown Court yesterday, crying, folding his arms, making denials, swearing at him and storming out of his seat during a heated video-link hearing from HMP Hewell.

Smith, of Chedworth Close, Warndon, had previously been found guilty of two assaults, one on his partner and one on her friend, and driving a motor vehicle dangerously in Worcester.

He admitted criminal damage, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and sending a malicious communication.

Smith, who had been drinking, attacked his partner Sandra O'Brien-Jones at the Lion Hotel in Kidderminster on December 26 last year, punching her on the cheek and nose, causing her nose to bleed.

He also stamped on her child's toy, a remote control car, and punched the television.

On February 16 this year Smith pulled her out of the car by her hair, and drove his Seat Leon at her and her friend Cindy Godby.

Smith clipped Miss O’Brien-Jones with the car and caused bruising to Miss Godby's ankle.

Michael Conry, prosecuting, said Smith became 'incensed' when he saw Miss O'Brien-Jones talking to a man in the Saracen's Head in The Tything, Worcester on March 9 this year.

Smith followed her to her flat, forced his way inside and punched her repeatedly in the face, causing an injury to her eye which needed six stitches.

By the time police arrived Smith had taken hold of a knife which officers ordered him to drop.

Mr Conry said of the victim: "She was described as being absolutely terrified and worried for her safety."

Sukhdev Bisla, defending, said Smith had not been able to see his two children from a previous relationship which had developed into depression and that he was drinking 'because he couldn't bear not seeing his children'.

"He has attempted suicide in the middle of February. He attempted to take 100 paracetamol because of how he feels," said Mr Bisla.

But Judge Jim Tindal said Smith should attempt to reflect on his behaviour rather than 'continuing the self-pity' which caused the defendant to shout: "It's not self pity!"

Judge Tindal referred to Smith being found in possession of a knife after a 'sustained assault' but the defendant interrupted, telling him: "I wanted to kill myself, that's why!"

The judge, who told him to 'be quiet', said: "Clearly you're not able to control your emotions or your temper."

The judge said: "What has happened clearly in the last year or so is that you have developed clear depression as a result of the situation with your children.

"That is regrettable and I have some sympathy but the reality is that no-one ever solves depression by drinking heavily. No-one ever solves depression by repeatedly attacking their partner which is what you have done."

He said it was also 'particularly unpleasant' that he had stamped on her child's Christmas present on boxing day.

The judge said of the assault on March 9: "When she called the police you pleaded with her to stop. When police were on the way you decided to take all your emotion and anger out on her by subjecting her to a serious, sustained assault."

Judge Tindal jailed him for 16 months and banned him from driving for 12 months. If he wants to drive again Smith must complete an extended retest.