A BRIDE was beaten by her new husband on their wedding night - because he couldn't take her dress off, a court heard.

Amy Dawson married her long-term partner, Gavin Golightly, in August last year.

The newlyweds then enjoyed a reception at a country hotel where they were due to stay the night.

As they returned to their room, the 22-year-old asked the groom to help her take off her dress but Golightly, 29, refused.

He then threw her to the floor before subjecting her to a terrifying assault, leaving her with a cut eyebrow and a bruised face and chest.

Golightly pleaded guilty to a single count of assault causing actual bodily harm at Peterlee Magistrates Court.

He was handed a community order, but Ms Dawson said the punishment was not harsh enough.

The mother-of-one, who has since filed for divorce, said: "When I first met Gavin, he was lovely, I couldn't fault him.

"He was caring and loving, and when we found we were having baby, we were delighted.

"I fell pregnant after eight months, but almost straight away, Gavin became controlling and manipulative. It was like walking on eggshells.

"When he lashed out at me on my wedding night, I thought I was going to die. I was terrified. He looked like he was going to kill me."

The accountancy student added: "After the attack, he left the room and I tried to escape, but he came back in and continued to beat me.

"Eventually, I escaped and found a hotel porter, who called the police.

"It was such a lovely day, and I was devastated it ended the way it did. It was a huge celebration full of friends and family, and I thought it would have been the fresh start we needed.

"The community order was far too soft. The restraining order is the only thing keeping me strong. He means nothing to me now."

The pair tied the knot at St Mary's Church in West Rainton, County Durham, in August last year before moving on to Beamish Hall for their reception.

Prosecutor Sarah Traynor told the court that after trying unsuccessfully to undo the dress, he refused to try again "jumped up from his chair, approached Ms Dawson and pushed her over".

"He then sat on top of her and started punching her with clenched fists. He then got up and left the room. It appears that the defendant then came back to the room," she said.

"The defendant said he has no recollection of the event, adding that he must have had his drink spiked.

"He remembers waking up in a hotel room and said he does not get angry when he takes drugs.

"Ms Dawson had a cut above her left eyebrow and some bruises to her face and chest area."

Golightly, from Sunderland, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm last month.

Robin Ford, mitigating, said a community order was sufficient.

"Given the cathartic process that this has been for him, I think he could well come back and get this order taken off early."

Golightly was also given a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Ms Dawson.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.