A CARLISLE man who headbutted his partner during an drunken assault at her home has been spared an immediate jail sentence after he openly admitted that he needed help.

Connor Daniel Challinor, 23, was so drunk during his violence that at one point he tumbled down the stairs.

Later, as he was being put into a police van, he kicked a constable in the face, bursting her lip, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

The 23-year-old, of Reeth Road, Carlisle, admitted six offences: two counts of criminal damage, possessing cannabis, two common assaults, one assault on an emergency worker.

Rob Dudley, prosecuting, described how the defendant arrived drunk at the woman’s Wadsworth Road home on November 16 last year.

As he argued with her, he banged his head against a wall, damaging it. He also damaged a mirror and a table lamp as he became angry.

He began pushing the woman, at one point headbutting her as they argued.

A bystander was hurt when he grabbed a Playstation and hurled it across the room and it bounced. He fell as he tried to negotiate the stairs, said Mr Dudley.

When police arrived, he said to one of the officers: “Do you think you’re the big man?”

Seeing how drunk and agitated he was, the officers decided to put him in a police van. As this was happening, he kicked out, bursting the officer’s face.

Challinor later claimed that inside the house, he had been acting in self-defence, said Mr Dudley. “He accepted being reckless when he threw the Playstation,” said Mr Dudley.

The defendant also said his kick had been reckless, and he did not intend to hurt the officer.

Jeff Smith, defending, said: “He has long-standing mental health problems, which he has on occasion struggled to control.”

His mental health had worsened when he used alcohol, said Mr Smith.

Recorder Neville Biddle imposed a nine month jail term, suspended for two years. The defendant must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and a building better relationships course.

The defendant - told he was lucky not to be going straight to jail - told the judge: “I need help, your Honour. I’m willing to accept it.” He will be jailed if he reoffends, warned the judge.