A CHRONIC alcoholic who purposely hit his partner's head against the ground has been spared a jail sentence.

Samuel Wilson was found guilty of attacking Jacqueline Harrison, an equally well-known street drinker, in October last year.

The attack, which was in breach of Wilson's five-year anti-social behaviour order, took place in April and was witnessed by a shopworker.

At Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, Douglas Marshall, prosecuting, expl-ained that a woman working at the One Stop shop in Lowesmoor, Worcester, grew concerned when she saw Miss Harrison lying on the floor in Blackhorse Walk and Wilson standing by her.

"It was clear both of them were drunk," said Mr Marshall. "She (the shopworker) returned to the store but stayed by the door."

She called the police when she saw Wilson repeatedly lift Miss Harrison's head by her hair and let it drop back on to the pavement.

"Harrison decided not to make a complaint but she had blood on her lip and scratches to her nose," said Mr Marshall.

Sarah Brady, defending, told the court that Wilson's life was chaotic, divided with periods of homelessness and imprisonment, and marred by his chronic alcoholism.

"It's very difficult to know how to deal with him," added Mrs Brady.

Referring to his "undeniably violent" relationship with Miss Harrison, she said: "They have been together for 10 years. They are a couple and their lives - both of them - have revolved around drink."

Wilson's Asbo bans him from being drunk in public and there is an injunction stopping him visiting Miss Harrison's home in Dines Green.

"It's actually very difficult for Mr Wilson to do normal things without breaking the law," said Mrs Brady.

The magistrates sentenced Wilson to four months in custody for the assault and four months for the Asbo breach, to run concurrently but suspended for 12 months.

They also made him subject to supervision, extended the existing suspended sentence, and ordered him to pay £250 court costs.