A man urged his ex-partner and her elderly mum to ensure an assault allegation was dropped by police.

Paul Corrie, 47, warned that the pair would be "in for it" after learning they had not done what he had told them to do.

But Corrie's criminal attempts to evade justice failed and landed him in the dock before a judge at Carlisle Crown Court.

Brendan Burke, prosecuting, told the hearing how a row "erupted" between Corrie and Charmaine Ewings on March 20 at her city home.

"The argument escalated to the point where she was screaming at him to leave," said Mr Burke.

"He insisted on remaining and went to collect some belongings. She repeated her requests that he leave. He pushed his fingers in her face."

Corrie was also said to have shoved past Ms Ewings who could be heard "telling him to get off her" as she dialled 999.

He was arrested and, when bailed, was prohibited from contacting Ms Ewings.

However, he did get in touch - first asking to resume their relationship and then, on March 28, requesting she tell police to drop the charge.

He also contacted her elderly mother, Kathleen Kernaghan, who was "instructed" to persuade her daughter to drop the police action.

"When she (later) said she hadn't done that, he said they were both in for it," said Mr Burke.

Corrie, of Baird Road, was said to have a previous conviction for witness intimidation.

A probation officer report concluded the pizza delivery driver "acknowledges he has made some poor decisions".

"We have discussed how that could be addressed through supervision," stated the report.

Corrie was said to be in the process of reconciling with his wife, with whom he had seven children.

He had been due to face trial but pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Ewings, and to two perverting the course of justice charges. A 23-week jail term was suspended for 12 months by Judge Barbara Forrester.

Corrie received a 30-day rehabilitation requirement, must complete 180 hours' unpaid work and was banned from contacting his two victims for five years.

"You know full well because of your previous conviction that it is an illegal act - it is a crime to do that," said Judge Forrester.