A MAN assaulted his girlfriend after seeing her walk home with a neighbour.

Colin Harris had already had an argument with his partner in a nightclub that night.

Worcester magistrates heard the 31-year-old could be referred on to a domestic violence programme as it was not the first time he had been before the courts, though it was the first incident in this relationship.

"It followed an evening when he had been out on his own with his friends and she'd been out with her friends," said Neil Coulson, defending.

"They met at a nightclub. There was an argument and he struck a blow.

Provoked

"He went back to her home. Later, he saw her coming back with another man, who was a close neighbour. That sparked another argument."

Harris, of Skyrrold Road, Malvern, admitted common assault.

Mr Coulson said it was "an isolated incident in so far as this relationship is concerned".

The hearing was adjourned for reports to see if Harris was suitable for the domestic violence programme, until Monday, April 28.