A MAN who admitted assaulting his former girlfriend was given an unconditional discharge by magistrates on Thursday.

John Bourne, formerly of The Halve, Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to assaulting Karen Smith at the home they then shared on June 17, when he appeared at Chippenham magistrates' court on Thursday.

Sarah Lau, prosecuting, told the court the couple, who had been together for three years, had argued and Miss Smith had left their home, returning later to collect some of her possessions.

An argument broke out during the course of which Bourne pushed Smith and held her down on a bed, bruising her arm. Esther Bisgrove, defending, said: "The relationship was difficult. This was something he should not have done that he had never done before. He wants to make a public announcement of remorse for this incident."

She said Bourne had been trying to restrain Miss Smith after she kicked and punched him. She said the couple had since parted and Bourne had voluntarily sought help with anger management and medication for depression.

He was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay compensation of £25 and £25 court costs.