A man attacked his lover after she went through his mobile phone and discovered he was seeing another woman, a court heard.

Paul Dixon smashed a glass after being confronted with the evidence at his partner's home in Braintree.

The woman's ear was cut as a result, and the 54-year-old punched her head several times. He also grabbed her by the hair before pushing her to the ground.

Dixon, of George Road in Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, appeared for sentencing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday after admitting common assault on September 19 at an earlier hearing. He had denied the charge at first.

Dixon, on incapacity benefits because he suffers from depression and anxiety issues, denied the offence at first because he could not remember it.

But magistrates heard he was now willing to accept what had happened as he trusts the victim and believes what she says is true.

He was sentenced to a two-year community rehabilitation order, including a community domestic violence programme, and he must pay £100 compensation and £100 costs.

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Published Tuesday, February 8, 2005

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