A WORCESTER teenager has pleaded guilty to punching his girlfriend in the face, causing a hole to the side of her mouth.

Ryan McDonald, of Goldsmith Road, Blackpole, admitted two counts of assault on Saturday, April 14, saying he did it because he had seen his girlfriend dancing with other men.

The 18-year-old also admitted causing about £200 criminal damage to his sister’s car on a separate occasion and breach of bail.

Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, said: “The criminal damage offence was outside his mother’s address at about 1pm on March 16.

“The assault is also a domestic matter. She said in the past he had been violent towards her. But that hadn’t been the case for the past three weeks.”

The court was told that McDonald followed his girlfriend, Yasmeen Virgo, with whom he had been in a relationship since September last year, to a Lowesmoor pub where he slapped her around the face twice.

Miss Virgo and her friend then continued the night before walking home up Rainbow Hill.

Miss Lovegrove said: “The defendant pulled up behind them in a taxi and she tried to walk away. An argument took place and he punched her twice with a clenched fist to the face, causing a tooth to puncture her face, creating a 5mm to 10mm hole.

“The defendant admitted both offences and said he confronted his girlfriend about dancing with other men. He said he waited for her and saw her dancing with other men intentionally to annoy him.”

Sarah Brady, defending, said: “He is a very young man and has no previous convictions. When he was a child at home, he witnessed domestic violence.

“This is his first appearance in court. He would welcome the intervention of the probation service.”

McDonald was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and given a 12-month supervision order. He was ordered to take eight sessions of counselling. He was also told to pay £300 compensation and £85 costs for the assault charges and £200 compensation and £85 costs for the criminal damage.