A LABOURER who attacked his ex-girlfriend with a black binbag full of his belongings appeared in court yesterday.

Blair Mercer had been living with Helen James, but when she called off the relationship, he moved out, Worcester magistrates heard.

Sally Hill, prosecuting, said the assault on Miss James took place on Sunday, January 26, this year, when the 21-year-old defendant called to collect possessions, then followed Miss James down the road.

"He tried to talk to her. She didn't want any of this and crossed over the road," said Miss Hill.

"The next thing she felt was a bang at the back of her head. It appears to have been the bin liner.

"She describes how she was hit by the bag on more than one occasion."

The prosecutor told the court that after kicking each other, Mercer "grabbed her (Miss James) by the hair" and "pinched her arm."

Miss Hill said the couple agreed to go to the cinema on Saturday, February 8, but on the day, Mercer, who had been drinking, cancelled the arrangement.

Miss James went round to his house to see him, but left after he became abusive.

Mercer then called at Miss James' house at 10pm and smashed the front door glass with his fist when Miss James refused to speak to him.

The prosecutor said the police took Mercer, who had injured his hand, to hospital, but he was "abusive to the officers" and then "kicked out and caught an officer on the leg."

Richard Wilkes, defending, said alcohol was the major factor behind the offences.

Stability

"He has now acquired employment and that's a major factor for him because it gives him some stability and some focus to his life as opposed to looking for alcohol," said Mr Wilkes.

"He hasn't had any help before in terms of addressing his alcohol problem."

Mercer, of Lowesmoor, Worcester, admitted common assault, criminal damage, and assault on a police officer at a previous hearing.

For each offence he was given a community punishment and rehabilitation order to run concurrently.

Mercer was ordered to pay £25 compensation to Miss James for the assault, £30 for the broken glass, £50 for the assault on the police officer and £118 prosecution costs.