A MAN left his girlfriend “scared of him” after beating her twice in a drunken rage, a court heard.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that Nathan Shann had two violent outbursts with his ex-girlfriend, leaving her with two black eyes and covered in bruises.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to assault by beating on July 28 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on July 31 this year.

Rachel Stapleton, prosecuting, said: “The first incident took place just before 1am.

“The victim said she and her partner, the defendant, were having a few drinks and listening to some music when they started having a verbal argument.

“He told her she did nothing for him and slapped her across the face.”

The victim said in a statement: “He grabbed me by the throat and squeezed my neck to the point where I couldn’t breathe.

“I tried to leave and he got in my face shouting, he said ‘if my sister wasn’t here I would have killed you here and now’.

“He stayed near the door to prevent me from escaping. After a few more drinks he calmed down and apologised.

“We were together for five-and-a-half months and he had never hit me before.”

The victim added: “On July 31 we were having a drink with friends –Nathan started getting too drunk and snapping at me.

“I went into the bedroom and he followed me in and said ‘what the f*** is the matter with you?’

“I told him when he got drunk I was scared of him.

“He became abusive and stood over me and then started punching me to my right cheek.

“I put my arms up to cover my head and he continued to hit me until his friends heard me screaming and came in and stopped him.”

The court heard that the victim was left with two black eyes, lots of swelling to her face and head and a concussion.

Shann has one previous conviction for two offences of obstructing a police officer and criminal damage from January 2018.

Amrit Jandu, mitigating, said his client had fully co-operated with the court and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

A report from probation said the defendant, who is unemployed, had been bullied during year seven and eight of school and had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

District Judge Helen Cousins handed Shann, of Briardale, Consett, a 24 month community order and imposed a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for two years.

He must also pay £200 compensation and £85 costs.