A SUSPENDED prison sentence has been given to a man who attacked his former partner and cut up her clothes after they spent a night drinking together.

Jason Johnston, aged 26, of Padbury Way, Breightmet, pleaded guilty at Bolton Crown Court to causing actual bodily harm, affray, criminal damage and carrying a knife in public.

Adam Lodge, prosecuting, told how, on July 16 last year, Johnston and Nicola Latham went into Bolton but, as they had been drinking heavily, they were turned away from bars and clubs.

They got into an argument while waiting for takeaway food. Johnston left her, heading back alone to her house, where he pulled food from the freezer and slashed her clothes, before ringing her to tell her what he had done.

At 6am, Johnston, on a bicycle, found Miss Latham walking with Kieron Brindle in Boscobel Road, Great Lever.

He chased Mr Brindle away with a kitchen knife and attacked Miss Latham, punching her in the side of the head and kicking her leg when she fell to the ground. She suffered grazes and bruising.

Ann Deakin, defending, said Johnston had mental heath difficulties.

Judge Timothy Stead sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months’ supervision. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge .