A STRONGMAN champion was ‘beaten’ by his ex-girlfriend as he worked out in a Great Harwood gym.

Blackburn magistrates heard Dommanie Caldecott repeatedly punched Tom Linklater to the body and kicked his shins before punching him to the face and slapping him across the face.

But the bodybuilder walked away from the assault with ‘no more than slight reddening’ as his former partner was removed by the gym manager.

Caldecott, 26, of School Street, Great Harwood, admitted assaulting Mr Linklater. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 costs.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said Mr Linklater was at the Britannia Street gym when his partner came in asking for money towards a loan they both paid.

“There was a discussion and then she started to punch him to the body and kick him in the shins,” said Mr Harrison.

“He repeatedly told her to go away but she refused.”

Richard Prew, defending, said if ever there was a ‘mismatch’ this was it.

“Mr Linklater is a very large man, a bodybuilder who takes part in strongman competitions,” said Mr Prew.

The couple’s relationship ended because he had an affair but they still had a number of shared outgoings.

He said during the discussion about money his client ‘saw red’ and hit out at her ex-partner.

“At one point during the attack he pushed her away and she fell to the floor,” said Mr Prew.

“That was the extent of the mismatch.

“There was no injury to Mr Linklater other than loss of face. Had this happened anywhere else he probably wouldn’t have involved the police.”