A MAN headbutted his girlfriend in the face, smashed her over the head with a table, and threatened to beat her all night long, a court heard.

David Kennedy, of Union Street in Lindley, pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Vanessa Schofield, prosecuting, told the court that on February 25 the couple had started arguing when Kennedy said he was going to go to Scotland.

She said Kennedy’s partner had decided to keep quiet in case he lost his temper because he had allegedly beaten her just five days previously.

Mrs Schofield said: “He started to punch her several times to the head and ears.

“She tried to get away from him and even fight back.

“He grabbed her and hit her and she hit her head against the wall. He then picked up a small table and hit her on the head with such force it broke.

“She tried to hold on to his arms and begged him to stop but he head-butted her to the face and said he was going to beat her all night long.”

Mrs Schofield said Kennedy, 38, also threatened his girlfriend with a knife.

She was left with bruises all over her upper body, two black eyes and scratches on her back in what police described as “serious” injuries.

The woman had to stay in hospital overnight for treatment. Kennedy pleaded guilty but denied wielding a knife, hitting her with a table or head-butting her.

Bob Carr, defending, called for a Newton Hearing (where a judge sitting alone rules in a case because two sides offer conflicting evidence). Mr Carr said: “When you take the use of a head-butt and a weapon or the use of a table that takes you into a completely different category where a custodial sentence is inevitable.”

Kennedy will appear at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court again on June 21.