A MAN pushed a woman down a set of stairs and smashed her face into a pavement after she ended their relationship.

John George Mains, 45, had hoped for a reconciliation with Teresa Walker, 39, but ended up grabbing her by the throat.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Mains began a relationship with the mother-of-three after she moved into his mother's guest house, in Greenbank Road, Darlington.

The relationship ended, but some weeks later, on July 29, Mains rang Ms Walker and said he wanted to get back together and go for a drink.

The pair went out and later returned to the guest house, but when Ms Walker refused to see Mains again, his mood changed.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said Mains became very angry and grabbed her by the throat, pushing her down the stairs.

Ms Walker attempted to retrieve her handbag, but Mains grabbed this and took out a mobile phone, throwing it against a wall.

He then took her arm and pushed her out of the door, causing her to fall over a wall.

When she threatened to call the police, Mains smashed her face into the pavement, the court heard.

It was at first suspected Ms Walker had suffered a broken nose and ankle in the attack, but she escaped with cuts and bruises.

Mains, of Greenbank Road, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He had drunk four pints on the night and two shorts.

Richard Herrman, in mitigation, said Mains' mind was blank about the events that night, which he regretted.

Mains was jailed for nine months, suspended for two years, by Judge George Moorhouse and told to pay £245 costs.

He was also made subject of a two-year supervision order.