Adrian Bowkett, who broke his partner's eye socket with a punch, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

The 38-year-old, of Old Market Close, Ross-on-Wye, was living with the woman at Newent at the time of the attack, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

Lisa Hennessy, prosecuting, said they had been drinking in a local club on November 15 last year, and he had asked his partner, who had won £100 on a gaming machine, if he could borrow money to carry on drinking.

"When they left, he was annoyed and walked off ahead of her," she said.

"When they had got back home, she went to leave the room and he punched her so hard she fell to the floor.

"She got up and told him to get out of her house and he punched her again before dragging her outside and punching her several times.

"She was left with a closed and badly swollen eye, a swollen nose and cheek, and when she was taken to hospital, it was found she had a broken eye socket."

Nicola Berryman, defending, said the pre-sentence report suggested an onerous non-custodial sentence including a drug rehabilitation course, which would be demanding of Bowkett and would get to the heart of the issues in the case .

Judge William Hart said the history in the case gave him some concern, but another judge at a previous hearing had held out the expectation that if drug rehabilitation was recommended, he would not deprive Bowkett of his liberty.

"The nature of the assault is so serious that I must impose a prison sentence of 38 weeks but that will be suspended for two years.

"You will also be the subject of a supervision order for two years and I will make a drug rehabilitation order for six months.

"You will also attend the domestic abuse programme for 27 sessions.

"If you comply with all these requirements, you will not go to prison.

"If you do not, you know what will happen."