A LETTER of support from the girlriend he attacked saved the day for Dean Harris.

Magistrates at Bury made it clear they had been contemplating a far more serious sentence until they had read the letter from Sarah Hadfield, the mother of Harris's five-month-old baby daughter.

Earlier, the court was told how, one night in October, Miss Hadfield returned to her Whitefield home and was joined at around 11.30pm by Harris who had been drinking heavily.

Prosecuting, Mrs Diane Spence described how the 24-year-old became "extremely" threatening and abusive to his girlfriend and the argument ended with him punching and kicking an internal door causing damage.

The following day the row continued. This time there was violence with Miss Hadfield being slapped across the face and bitten on the arm. She then called the police.

However, the court was told by Mr Stanley Sumura, defending, that he had received a letter from Miss Hadfield making her feelings known about both incidents and his client.

He asked the magistrates to look at it and added: "I don't think there is anything further that I can add".

Harris, from Stirling Grove, Whitefield, pleaded guilty to causing damage and assault. He was given an 18-month conditional discharge. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Miss Hadfield and £150 to Bury Council for the cost of repairs. There were also £50 court costs.

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