A man accused of headbutting his pregnant girlfriend after drinking too much at her Christmas staff party was ordered to learn about “respectful relationships”.

Ashley Court, aged 27, who gave an address in Bryn Celyn, Colwyn Bay, an assistant manager at a tyre centre, was placed under a twelve months community order with a rehabilitation requirement and must do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £285 costs.

Magistrates’ chairwoman Hilary Owen told him at Llandudno: "You were very close to custody.”

Court admitted common assault on Samantha Lloyd at her home at Eglwysbach in December.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said police had been alerted after two neighbours were disturbed in the early hours, and the defendant had been aggressive. The victim appeared upset and frightened and had a cut lip.

Miss Lloyd said he had gone “mental” and shouted and screamed when they returned home.

Graham Parry, defending, said the victim was in court and didn’t support the prosecution. The couple now lived in Llandudno Junction.

Mr Parry said Court didn’t normally drink and his memory of what happened in the house was “very limited.” The lawyer remarked :”No-one knows precisely what happened.”

He said :”Whether or not there was a headbutt, the defendant doesn’t know. Miss Lloyd says she tried to get between the dog and Mr Court and felt there was a clash of heads.”

The defendant was remorseful, the solicitor added.