A JEALOUS attacker who kneed his girlfriend in the face and bit her on the chin during a drunken argument about her being attracted to another man has been locked up for 18 months.

John Shellard was told by a judge: "I hope your period in custody will give you the base to address your problems with alcohol. If you don't, the sentences are going to get longer and longer."

Teesside Crown Court heard how Shellard has a criminal record containing more than 30 offences - mostly linked to drink - including affray, assault, criminal damage and possessing weapons.

In the early hours of April 29, he attacked Jennifer Smith at her home after they returned from a night out during which he flew into a alcohol-fuelled rage about her fancying someone else.

Shellard, 28, grabbed her from behind, pulled her hair, kneed her in the face and punched her, Jacqueline Edwards, prosecuting, told the judge, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford, yesterday.

After biting her and leaving Miss Smith's face covered in blood, Shellard said: "I'm sorry, baby girl, look what I've done. I love you. You should phone the police. If you don't, I'll kill you."

In an interview hours after his arrest, he told police: "She's a dick-head. She's horrible. . . I'm glad it came to this . . . I should have hit her harder . . . . The lads always get the blame."

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, said Shellard's "irrational" behaviour was a reflection of his state, and added: "It demonstrates this is a young man who lost selfcontrol in part through drink."

Mr McReddie said his problems with alcohol were not surprising given the "most unimaginable and irresponsible way in which heavy drinking was brought into Mr Shellard's life".

Shellard, of Henry Street, Middlesbrough, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and was told by the judge: "You know you can't control your temper when you have had a drink."

Mr Recorder Sandiford added: "It is right you expressed some remorse, although it is particularly difficult to know how genuine it was, given your comments later in interview. "