A Marsh man was lucky to escape jail after assaulting his ex-partner and her friend who rushed to protect her.

Paul Caine was already on a court order banning him from contacting mum-of-one Katy Mullarkey when he went to her home and attacked her.

Caine, of Spire Court, admitted breaching a restraining order but was found guilty of two charges of assault following a trial at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.

Vanessa Jones, prosecuting, said that Caine and Miss Mullarkey had previously been in a relationship and had a young son.

The couple separated due to previous domestic incidents, the court heard.

The 28-year-old was banned from contacting her after magistrates handed him a one-year restraining order for sending a malicious communication.

On August 6 Miss Mullarkey was at her Moldgreen home with her friend Kerry McClory and their children.

They were sitting in the kitchen when Caine came into the house and Miss Mullarkey felt scared.

Mrs Jones said: “He asked how his son was and she told him he shouldn’t be at the address.

“She pushed him to get him to leave.

“That made him angry and he punched her to her face and she stumbled backwards.

“Her friend tried to intervene to protect her and Mr Caine became verbally abusive towards Miss McClory and punched her to the face twice.”

The court heard that Miss McClory was knocked to the floor and Miss Mullarkey ran upstairs to call police.

Mrs Jones said: “While Miss McClory was on the floor Mr Caine stamped on her.

“He then told her she deserved that and he left the property.”

District Judge Vincent McDade sentenced Caine to four months in jail, suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 to each complainant as well as £200 court costs.

Finally, judge McDade imposed a fresh restraining order banning Caine from contacting Miss Mullarkey for three years.