A FATHER was spared prison after punching his girlfriend as she held their young son in her arms.

Lee Reid, 25, launched an attack on the mother of his two children after she criticised him for being hungover.

Sentencing him to a 12-month community order yesterday, Huddersfield magistrates told him that he should have been jailed.

They had been told that Reid assaulted Maria Nettleton at the home they shared at Gilbert Grove, Crosland Moor, on August 13.

Bill Astin, prosecuting, said that on the night before Reid had been at a party and had a lot to drink.

He then took tablets to help him sleep when he got home.

The next day Miss Nettleton asked him to take care of their young children for the morning.

But Reid was still suffering from the effects of the drink and pills and she criticised him for getting in such a state that he was unable to look after them.

Mr Astin said: “There was a verbal argument. He pushed her and she landed in the fireplace.

“He then punched her three or four times, causing some blood in her mouth.

“Their three-year-old son became very upset and she picked him up and tried to comfort him.

“He punched her several times in the face.”

The shaken mum then left the house to stay with a cousin and called police.

When officers arrived at the property they found a damaged microwave on the kitchen floor.

Mr Astin said: “The lady had cuts to her mouth and back of her head and did seek medical treatment.

“She was deeply upset by the whole incident. It was aggravated by the presence of the young child in her arms when she was assaulted.”

Magistrates were told there had been past reports of arguments at the house, but this was the first time violence had been involved.

Reid, who gave his address as Copley Avenue in Meltham, pleaded guilty to the two charges of assault and criminal damage.

He told the bench that he hoped to reconcile with his partner.

Magistrates told Reid that he should be imprisoned, but gave him a community order with supervision as a ‘direct alternative’ to custody.

They also ordered him to complete 80 hours unpaid work, pay £185 costs and compensation and to participate in the Safer Relationships Programme.