A MARYPORT man has admitted he assaulted his partner three times in less than a week.

Allan Ernest Moralee, who is aged 39, had previously pleaded not guilty to a string of charges. He was due to stand trial in front of a jury at Carlisle Crown Court.

But when Moralee appeared in the dock this afternoon (Monday), he changed his pleas to three charges.

He admitted assaulting the woman — then his partner — causing actual bodily harm on December 8, 11 and 13 last year.

Moralee’s lawyer, Jeff Smith, said the defendant was 'anxious to be sentenced' as soon as possible, having been remanded in custody for five-and-a-half months.

“Those five-and-a-half months have been a constructive learning experience,” said Mr Smith.

But the judge, Recorder Paul Hodgkinson, opted not to pass sentence straight away. Instead he adjourned the case for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report.

The judge heard Moralee had previously been convicted of assaulting an emergency worker, resisting a PC, battery, public order and harassment.

Two past convictions, the court heard, related to the same victim — his now former partner.

A restraining order was now being sought on the woman’s behalf, prosecutor Brendan Burke confirmed.

Recorder Hodgkinson told Moralee: “I want the probation service to tell us a little bit more about your background.

“I think the court would benefit from insight into your domestic relationships. This is not the first time you have been in trouble for assaulting or causing trouble with previous partners in the past.”

Moralee, of Ellenborough Old Road, Maryport, is due to receive his punishment at the crown court on June 1. In the meantime he was remanded in custody.