A man has been told to curb his temper or face a long jail sentence.

Liam Hewlett, aged 20, admitted resisting a police officer and breaching a restraining order that prevented him from contacting a former partner.

Hewlett, of no fixed address, but formerly of Lansdowne Close, Malvern, also admitted failing to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work to which he was sentenced for slapping his girlfriend and pushing her into a wall.

Louise Mead, prosecuting, said Hewlett was in an on-off relationship with Stephanie Chapman but the relationship had been turbulent and he had moved out of their home in November.

He was made the subject of the restraining order in January which prevented him contacting her.

However, the court was told the couple had resumed contact via social networking site Facebook and he returned home despite the restraining order.

Miss Mead said Miss Chapman did not know about the order until the end of February but agreed he could stay. The couple have since split.

When officers tried to arrest Hewlett he resisted and caused one to suffer grazes to his elbow and forearm and a bruise on his shin.

Brian O’Connell, defending, said Hewlett had experienced his first taste of custody and had found it “disastrous”.

He said: “He has difficulty reading and writing. He has no contact with his parents.

“He is not dishonest. The convictions are for violence.

“It’s an issue of inappropriate behaviour when conflict occurs. He loses his temper.”

Magistrates sentenced Hewlett to 20 weeks custody suspended for two years.

He was also given three weeks, also suspended, for resisting the officer and to run concurrently. The restraining order remains in place and he must pay £60 costs to the police officer.