AN hysterical three-year-old girl was taken on a five-mile terror ride after her mother had a row with an ex-boyfriend, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Phillip Wright punched Samantha Lane before driving off from Bewdley with the girl in his car. He was stopped by police in Kidderminster.

"You terrorised that young girl and you should be ashamed of yourself," said Recorder Christopher Millington QC.

Wright, aged 25, of Teme Avenue, Rifle Range estate, Kidderminster, was put on probation for two years after pleading guilty to common assault.

He denied falsely imprisoning Miss Lane and abducting her daughter on November 1 last year. Not guilty verdicts were recorded.

Mr Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said Miss Lane had gone to live in Cleobury Road, Bewdley, following the break-up of her relationship with Wright. She was walking near her home when she saw Wright sitting in his car.

There was an argument and as she was walking away, he punched her on the back of the head. She went back and got into the car with her daughter but he punched her again.

Passers-by intervened and when she got out of the car, Wright drove off with the child.

Mr Walters said the child was upset and hysterical. Police were contacted and stopped the car in Kidderminster so that the mother could be re-united with her child.

Mr Tony Badenoch, defending, said jobless Wright apologised for his behaviour. He had minor convictions for dishonesty and a drugs offence.

Recorder Millington said Wright's assault on Miss Lane had been disgraceful and ordered him to undertake a domestic violence intervention programme.