A SUICIDAL father spent a night in a police cell after his lover dropped off their baby son to cheer him up, a court heard yesterday.

Kirk Stockdale was not allowed to contact the mother of his 20-month-old son under bail conditions imposed after he appeared in court accused of attacking her and leaving her with injuries which could have blinded her in one eye.

But within 24 hours of pleading not guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Kate Needham - also known as Kate Johnson - he was back before magistrates in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to admit the breach of bail.

Peter Scott, prosecuting, said yesterday that there had been contact between the couple by phone soon after Tuesday's hearing ended.

He said Stockdale had told Ms Needham he "might as well end it all" - a statement she thought was a suicide threat. She took their son to him to cheer him up but, when she called to collect the baby, Stockdale was not there.

Ms Needham rang police and when Stockdale arrived at Harrogate police station, he was arrested.

Stockdale, 24, had also been banned from the home he shared with Ms Needham in The Whinfields, Summerbridge, Nidderdale.

Stockdale was bailed until November 23 on the same conditions.

His solicitor, Geoffrey Rogers, said it was difficult to avoid contact when Ms Needham was getting in touch with him.

After hearing Stockdale was keeping a log of all approaches from Ms Needham, court chairman David Gravells told him: "The police will tell her she must not contact you."

Stockdale, now of Harewood Road, Harrogate, has been told the charge could be altered to a more serious one of causing grievous bodily harm.

He will stand trial at York Crown Court.