A MAN accused of punching his ex-partner in the face appeared before magistrates today (Tuesday, December 3).

Shaun Clayton, of Taylor Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is said to have carried out the unprovoked attack on his former partner in the town on August 24.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, said the 31-year-old had approached the victim while she was on a bike ride with her new partner.

The court heard how she suffered no visible injuries but in a statement read out in court the victim said: “It has left me feeling shaken and I am so scared he will do it again.”

Clayton pleaded guilty to common assault but disputed the prosecution’s version of events.

His solicitor, Callum Terry said Clayton, who has a new girlfriend, had only pushed the victim away during the incident after she spat at him and threw a can of energy drink in his son’s pushchair.

“He fully accepts he lost his temper and grabbed hold of her and pushed her out of the way,” Mr Terry added.

Magistrates decided the differences between the two accounts would not affect the sentence and imposed a 12-month conditional discharge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.