A CARLISLE man assaulted his partner by delivering a number of what he later told police were 'fairy kicks' to her legs.

Martin Tinkler, 54, lashed out at the woman in the early hours of April 13.

Police were alerted as they received a call from the female’s sister at around 1.30am. She reported there had been an argument 'all night' between Tinkler and her sibling.

“And that he had assaulted her by kicking her in the legs,” prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

The woman had asked her sister to assist.

“Police attended and located the complainant at the address, and the defendant in a bedroom,” said Mr Shelley.

“Both parties have been separated and spoken to separately. It is alleged that the defendant has also poured a drink over the head of the complainant after kicking her. This was from a bottle of cider.

“There are no physical injuries.”

When interviewed, Tinkler admitted delivering what he described as “three fairy kicks, but denied kicking the complainant in the back as alleged.”

Produced in the court dock today (Monday) from custody, he admitted assaulting the woman by beating. She had since declined both to provide a statement and give evidence in court.

Tinkler had initially been bailed in the aftermath of the incident on condition he did not the victim.

Duncan Campbell, defending, told the court: “The injured party was in contact with him and wanted him to come to the house. He acceded to her request but the police came.

“She tried to deny he was in the house. They searched and found him there.”

Tinkler, previously of Millholme Avenue, Currock, was taken into custody as a result for breaching his bail.

At today’s court hearing, District Judge John Temperley adjourned the case for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report.

Tinkler was granted conditional bail, to an address at Stonegarth, Carlisle, and is due to be sentenced for the assault at the magistrates’ on May 16. He must not contact the woman in the meantime.

“This was a domestic assault, which makes it more serious. We have got a vulnerable victim. There is alleged kicking involved as well,” said the district judge.