A MAN who assaulted his partner while under "extreme mental provocation" has appeared in court.

Melvyn George Jenkinson, 33, of Westminster Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty yesterday to two charges of assaulting his former girlfriend.

Toby Thomas, prosecuting, told the court that on June 6 last year, while his girlfriend was away on holiday, Jenkinson heard that she had been having an affair while he had been working away.

When she returned, he confronted her and she denied the accusation.

Mr Thomas said: "Things became heated and he accepts he slapped her twice with the back of his hand across the face."

On the second occasion, in the early hours of June 12, Mr Jenkinson went to his former partner's house after learning she was planning another trip abroad.

Another argument broke out and Mr Jenkinson admitted "pushing and shoving" the woman.

Michael Clarke, mitigating, said his client had been in a very distressed state.

Magistrates gave Jenkinson 12-month conditional discharges for each offence, to run concurrently.

Bench chairman John Welsh said the guidelines for assault suggested a sentence of a community penalty.

However, he added: "Whilst we do not condone in any way the actions of yourself at that time, due to the extreme mental provocation we have decided to reduce the level down to one of a conditional discharge."

Jenkinson was also ordered to pay £55 costs.