A MAN who slapped and pushed his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend and also damaged her hi-fi system has been ordered to go on a course teaching him to curb his violence.

Michael Parker, 22, was also told to do 80 hours unpaid work in the community and to stay under the supervision of the probation service for two years.

Parker, of Rievaulx Avenue, Billingham, Teesside, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage and was yesterday sentenced at Teesside Crown Court.

Judge Michael Taylor told him that he would be jailed for 18 months if he failed to comply with any part of the combination order.