A HALESOWEN man described as “caring, helpful and non-violent” has avoided a spell behind bars after he savagely kicked his girlfriend in the face breaking her nose.

Jonathan Howard kicked his victim twice after punching her to the ground in a “sustained and repeated” assault, said Judge James Burbidge QC.

He told the 38-year-old it was a “nasty” attack in a relationship “it appears might have been stormy” adding: “Your behaviour changed and this was not an attractive side.”

The judge said references maintained there was a positive side to his character but he stressed: “You did not show that this time.

"You punched her to the right side of her ribs and in the stomach with some force and you then kicked her twice in the face. You did this when apparently you were in drink.”

Howard, of Fairmile Road, had denied assault causing actual bodily harm but he was found guilty after trial and he was given a 15 month jail term suspended for 18 months.

He was further told he must carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community, obey a two month curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am and pay his former partner £2,000 compensation for her injuries.

Sati Ruck, prosecuting, said the victim also sustained a badly blackened eye after being kicked by Howard who had been drinking before the attack.

In a victim impact statement she later told police officers she was now scared and in fear of Howard having been left in an anxious and nervous state by his actions.

Sunit Sandhu, defending, said Howard – who was also told he must have no contact with his ex-girlfriend for four years – was full of shame and remorse.

“He has learned a real lesson about the way he behaved,” he told Wolverhampton Crown Court. “It was a relationship that had difficulties and we all know these things can go on for longer than they should.”

Mr Sandhu said it was now over, as he added: “He knows he now has to get on with his life.”