A 39-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted his girlfriend later apologised to his victim via Facebook.

Although David Kennedy and his former partner Margaret Flaherty are no longer in a relationship, his barrister yesterday urged a judge to accept that the apology on the social networking site was sincere.

Barrister Giles Bridge told Bradford Crown Court the father-of-two also intended to write to the complainant to apologise properly for the attack at her home in February.

Prosecutor Ian Brook said the couple had been drinking together during the day, but without warning Kennedy began punching the complainant in the face and head.

Mr Brook said during the violence Kennedy hit his victim with a small table causing it to break, banged her head against a wall and headbutted her.

As a result of the attack the complainant suffered black eyes, bruising and swelling to both cheeks, a cut lip and bruising to her arms and wrists.

After his arrest Kennedy admitted having an alcohol problem, but claimed that the complainant was argumentative when in drink.

The court was shown photographs of injuries suffered by Kennedy and the complainant as a result of the incident.

Kennedy, of Union Street, Lindley, admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and yesterday Recorder Carl Gumsley sentenced him to 51 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.

The judge said he took account of Kennedy’s guilty plea, his remorse and the efforts he was making to overcome his alcohol problem.