A MAN who attacked his girlfriend after she threw his clothes from a bedroom window has been ordered to attend a domestic violence programme.

She was angry because he had confessed to spending the previous night with an ex-girlfriend, magistrates at Bury were told.

Paul Holland was also made subject of a 12-month community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £200 compensation and £55 costs. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Sarah Harrison causing her actual bodily harm.

The court heard that a row started between them after Holland confessed to staying the previous night with a former girlfriend.

The argument gradually became more and more violent. After an afternoon spent drinking, Holland and Miss Harrison returned to the home they shared in Ramsbottom.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Beckett said the row broke out again and reached a verbal climax when Holland admitted spending the night with his ex.

At that Miss Harrison threw his clothes out of the bedroom window and slapped him.

Mr Beckett said Holland punched Miss Harrison in the head. She fled downstairs and called the police. Moments later Holland, now of Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, followed her and smashed the phone.

She fled back upstairs but was chased and hit. As she fell on the bed Holland kicked her. The beating only ended when police arrived, said Mr Beckett.

Anthony Shimmin, defending, said: "This incident started off as an argument in the home and then escalated into something ugly. He was so conscious and concerned that he has taken medical advice."