A MAN who headbutted his former partner after a row at his parents’ home was told he had a “another chance”.

Judge Timothy Stead had given Lucas Hughes seven months to prove he could stay out of trouble by deferring his sentence last October.

And despite Hughes leaving his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child with a black eye, Judge Stead kept his word, handing the 23-year-old a two year community order and a nominal fine of £10.

At Bolton Crown Court, Eleanor Gleeson, prosecuting, said an argument broke out at Hughes’ parent’s home on January 12 last year after his victim visited to discuss childcare arrangements.

Hughes pushed her out of the property and a scuffle started in which the woman was kicked before he held her by the shoulders and headbutted her in the face and pulled her pony tail causing some sewn in hair extensions to come out. She suffered a black eye and blurred vision.

Ms Gleeson told the court that the offence took place while Hughes of Sandown Crescent, Little Lever, was subject to a suspended prison sentence of 12 months imposed in February 2019 for a theft offence. She added that Hughes, who admitted causing actual bodily harm and breaching a suspended sentence, had six previous convictions for 15 offences.

Kelly Cyples, defending, said Hughes had admitted the headbutt in his first interview with the police and added that it was “out of character” given it was his first violent offence.

“You’ve got another chance,” said Judge Stead, who also imposed a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR). “”If you do all this there will be no problem and it will be the end of the matter but if you fail you can be brought back. You better do it for your own sake.”