A MAN has avoided jail after repeatedly punching a woman in a drunken stupor.

Mark Taylor, of Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months at Colchester Magistrates Court on August 4.

The 45-year-old has pleaded guilty to the attack which happened in Clacton-on-Sea on August 2.

Magistrates imposed a jail term because the ‘offence was so serious’.

The court was told that ‘the offence was alcohol fuelled and consisted of numerous punches causing injury’.

READ > Man admits making hoax bomb threat to a woman in Knutsford

Magistrates suspended the sentence because the defendant is the main earner for his family and his loss of income could put their home at risk.

The bench also believes that ‘there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation considering the lack of violence on the defendant’s record’.

Taylor was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid supervised work during the next year.

Magistrates also imposed a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

The defendant must pay £187 victim surcharge and £145 costs.