A MAN told magistrates he was thoroughly ashamed of himself when he pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend.

Warren Oughton, 19, of Tennyson Road, Chilton, yesterday admitted punching Claire Cooke.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe heard that the couple had been at a christening on March 11.

Later in the day, after they had both been drinking, they rowed. Their mothers intervened to try and calm the situation, but when Oughton mistakenly believed his mother was being threatened, he hit Miss Cooke in the face, knocking her to the ground.

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said: "What is immediately apparent is his shame. He said repeatedly he feels he behaved terribly and this behaviour will not be repeated.

"He had drunk a considerable amount and described himself as 'totally wasted', he is genuinely apologetic."

Magistrates gave Oughton a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay compensation of £100 and £35 costs.