A MAN whipped his girlfriend with a towel after she came home drunk, a court heard yesterday.

Philip Wilson, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, who had a "love-hate relationship" with his partner, rowed with her when she returned home after a night out. He had left the Caledonian pub, High Northgate, an hour earlier.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard how police were alerted by neighbours and burst into the house to find Wilson whipping her back with a hand towel.

Wilson admitted common assault, and was given a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £60 costs.

Magistrates told him: "No bench will ever condone domestic violence."

Paul Hunter, prosecuting, said there had been a history of domestic incidents in the relationship where police had been called.

Laura Saunders-Jerrom, in mitigation, said the woman provoked the attack.

"Amongst other things, she bit his finger, tried to hit him, marked his eye and spat in his face.

"He got the towel to wipe the spit off his face, and flicked it at her. At that point, police entered the room, and saw him assaulting this woman."