A WOMAN needed hospital treatment after her boyfriend threw her out of his flat.

Christopher Danby caused numerous injuries to Jodie Edwards - scratches to her neck, bruising to her face, arm and hip, a possible broken nose and cuts to her ear - when he attempted to remove her from his flat after a night out in November last year.

Danby, of Bewdley Street, Evesham, originally denied battery, but later changed his plea to guilty.

The 38-year-old father of three appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court to be sentenced.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, described the couple's three year relationship as "on and off". She said on this occasion they were both intoxicated and were arguing at home.

She said, due to drink, Miss Edwards did not remember what happened but in a statement said: "Chris got hold of me by the clothes and punched me around the face."

The court heard Danby had agreed to plead guilty, but only if the court acted on his version of events, for that reason Miss Ashton also read out the defence facts.

She said prior to the assault Miss Edwards went into Danby's room, pulled off his bed sheets and grabbed his genitals causing him considerable pain.

In a statement read by Miss Ashton, Danby said: "I asked her to leave my flat.

"I tried to get her out physically but she resisted. I do not accept that I punched her or dragged her along the floor by her hair.

"I feared she would assault me again if she remained in my flat but I accept I went beyond self defence."

Barry Newton, defending Danby, told the court his client had suffered anxiety and depression since the incident.

"I'd like to emphasise the situation on that day was not one my client had ever experienced before," said Mr Barry.

"It is an unsatisfactory situation which brings him before the court."

Danby was ordered to complete a 12-month community order with supervision and 50 hours unpaid work.

He must also pay £250 compensation and £250 court costs.