A MAN spat in his pregnant girlfriend’s face, bit her cheekbone and threatened to ‘smash her face’ after she told him she had got a new job, a court heard.

Benjamin James McCormick, of Dalebeck Drive, Darlington, met his partner at work and they had been together for two and a half years when he carried out the attack over a number of hours, in which he was ‘verbally and physically abusive’ and restrained her, pulled her hair, and spat at her.

During the attack he told her she was 'nothing' and 'worthless' and he threatened to knock out her two front teeth, Ansab Shan, prosecuting, said.

McCormick, who works at Marks & Spencer, was upset because she wanted to take a new job in Middlesbrough, at a different place of work to him.

In mitigation, Ben Pegman said McCormick was concerned for the welfare of his unborn child because of the travelling involved. He also said his client did not agree with some of the victim’s account of what happened.

His partner was just six weeks pregnant at the time of the attack, in September, and has since left 27-year-old McCormick.

He pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court this week.

His former partner said the attack had 'turned my life upside down' and that she was in shock.

"I am very scared that in the coming days I might see him around town," she said in a victim impact statement read out in court.

Mr Pegman said the defendant was 'concerned about the effect the job might have on the baby'.

He said there had been pushing, shoving, and the couple had 'been in each other's faces'.

"Remarks were being exchanged on both sides which were unpleasant," he said, but added: "I certainly don't seek to minimise this on his behalf. It was unpleasant. He was remorseful about his behaviour."

He was ordered to carry out eight hours of unpaid work, and to pay £150 compensation and £85 costs.

Chairman of the magistrate bench Mrs L Overton said: "Instead of a celebration of life you are going to have to face a great deal of heartache."

Magistrates imposed a two-year restraining order on him to keep him away from his former partner.