A SUSPENDED jail sentence has been handed to a man who drunkenly beat his girlfriend after a day bender in Oxford.

Michael Gardener, 33, of The Lees, Faringdon, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (March 15) for one count of affray and one count of common assault.

He was handed an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 24 months.

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The incident happened at about 9.30pm on December 11 last year in Botley Road after the pair had been out drinking together.

Eyewitnesses saw Gardener punching the woman to her head and face, putting her in a headlock and pushing her against the railings of Osney Bridge, people fearing he would push her over.

Two witnesses called the police but Gardener spotted them making the phone call and began shouting and making threats towards them.

The duo ran into a nearby pub and barricaded the door out of fear of Gardener.

Smith was arrested and interviewed twice where he admitted he had been drinking but denied assaulting the woman in any way.

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The court heard he has 19 convictions for 54 offences.

His defence barrister pointed out that the woman, Kayleigh Jackson, had come to support Gardener in court despite the incident.

He said Ms Jackson accepts she has ‘her own demons’ and that the pair were still together and intended to stay together after the sentencing.