A MAN who had been on a drinking spree ended up having a violent late-night brawl with his partner in the street.

Worcester magistrates heard how Barry Dinsdale's attack on Suzanne Berry only stopped after friends intervened.

Dinsdale admitted common assault at an earlier hearing, but returned to court yesterday to be sentenced.

Tony Glaze, prosecuting, said the couple had started drinking early on the afternoon of Sunday, August 13, at the Drakes Drum pub, in Dines Green.

"Later she went home while he went to another pub - The Mayflower," said Mr Glaze. "When he got home he was quite drunk and began verbally insulting her.

"With a clenched fist he threw a punch, but she dodged it and ran across the road."

He said the fight continued in the street and he thrust his hand between her legs and she scratched his face in retaliation.

"He then sat on her for about 10 minutes, before friends came to the rescue," Mr Glaze added.

He said that when Dinsdale, aged 34, was interviewed by the police, he could not remember what had happened, but had been co-operative.

Andrew Childs, defending, said his client was deeply ashamed about what had happened.

"He regrets the incident," he said. "He is not a man of violence but in this instance drink got him into trouble."

Mr Childs added that his client had suffered ridicule from friends and neighbours, following Press publicity about the case.

"He has suffered 15 minutes of fame after becoming front page news," he said.

"This has made him take stock."

He added that the couple had reconciled and Dinsdale, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, was now curbing his drinking.

Dinsdale was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and ordered to pay court costs of £55.