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

Phillip Wright punched Samantha Lane before driving off from Bewdley with the girl in his car. Police finally stopped him 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 admitting common assault.

He denied falsely imprisoning Miss Lane and abducting her daughter on November 1 last year, and verdicts of not guilty were returned.

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. As she was walking away, he punched her on the back of the head.

She turned 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 tot. Mr Walters said the child was upset and hysterical.

Police were contacted and stopped the car in Kidderminster so Miss Lane could be re-united with her daughter.

Tony Badenoch, defending, said jobless Wright, who had minor convictions for dishonesty and a drugs offence, was sorry.

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