A MAN who attacked his partner after a row over who was to feed their baby was this week given a suspended jail sentence by a judge who said it was a “disgusting way to behave.

A MAN who attacked his partner after a row over who was to feed their baby was this week given a suspended jail sentence by a judge who said it was a “disgusting way to behave.”

Scott Merricks 24, banged Kira Hutt's head against a table and also put his hands round her throat during the row, and also produced a knife during the argument, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Malcolm Robins, prosecuting, said that the young mother was so terrified she ran from the couple's home in Lancaster Square, in Great Yarmouth, in just her nightclothes and bare feet.

Police were called to the scene and Merricks was arrested.

Mr Robins said that Ms Hutt had since said she wanted to get back with Merricks and had tried to withdraw her complaint.

Merricks, who has been living in Stoke-on-Trent, admitted common assault.

Alan Wheetman, for Merricks, said that the couple had both acted stupidly and the argument got out of hand.

He said that they had moved from Stoke-on-Trent to Yarmouth and Merrick had given up his job and could find no work in Norfolk.

“With him being out of work and unable to get work in Great Yarmouth and both living together they got a bit stir crazy.”

He said that Merrick had suffered from lack of sleep and said: “The final straw was when she had asked him to help feed the baby and he was thoroughly tired.”

He said the couple were now reconciled

Judge Alasdair Darroch jailed Merricks for 16 weeks suspended for two years and placed him on two years supervision.

He told Merricks: “This was a disgusting way to behave to assault your partner when she is the mother of your child. There is no excuse for attacking her.”