A mum has said she “can’t continue in this way” after her partner hit, spat and pushed her over in view of their two children.

Carlisle's magistrates’ court heard how Jacek Zygadlo attacked his partner after she returned home from shopping on the afternoon of September 27.

In a statement read out in court, his victim said she “no longer wants to be in a relationship with him”, adding Zygadlo “spends money on other things such as drugs and not his family”.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said on behalf of the woman: “He continued to be abusive, continued to call her names.

“I took our daughter upstairs and he came after me like a shadow, shouting in my ear.”

In their daughter’s bedroom Zygadlo, 31, then slapped her on the right ear.

“He then pushed me to the floor,” continued Mr Bardsley.

“I was still holding my son.”

Zygadlo admitted one charge of assault by beating yesterday.

During the attack Zygadlo, who now lives on Welsh Road in the Harraby area of Carlisle, also spat at his partner. Soon after, she made her way to the living room, where the abuse continued.

“He was swearing at the complainant, he was saying ‘They are going to take me away, I can’t deal without you’,” said Mr Bardsley.

The abuse has since led to the breakdown of the relationship, Mr Bardsley told the court.

“She no longer wants to be in a relationship with him, he spends money on other things like drugs – not on his family.”

Zygadlo admitted a charge of assault by beating. The court heard how he has a problem with cannabis and has a previous conviction for aggravated assault.

Defending, John Smith pointed only to the recommendations made in a pre-sentence report.

Presiding magistrate Kevin Wilderspin said: “We have taken into consideration everything we have heard in the court and everything we have read in the pre-sentence report.”

Zygadlo was given a 12-month community order requiring he doesn’t enter the address on Merith Avenue in the Botcherby area of Carlisle and does not contact his victim, except by text to arrange childcare.

He must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 140 hours of unpaid work, must pay a £90 victim surcharge, £85 in costs and £100 compensation.