MAN who punched his partner in the face while she was in bed was given a 12-month conditional discharge by magistrates yesterday.

Mark Taylor, 30, attacked girlfriend Adele Learoyd after the pair had been drinking in Darlington, South Durham Magistrates' Court was told.

David Crook, prosecuting, said Taylor, who admitted the assault, went into the couple's bedroom in Lanethorpe Crescent, Darlington, and began pulling Ms Learoyd's hair.

"He kept calling her a slag. He punched her twice in the face with his right fist," said Mr Crook.

Ms Learoyd suffered a chipped tooth and swollen eye and scalp.

Jon Wager, mitigating, said the couple had since been reconciled and Taylor was "extremely sorry" about the attack.

He was ordered to pay £118 prosecution costs.