AN Irvine dad has dodged jail after being found guilty of assaulting and injuring his girlfriend at her home.

The 39-year-old, who we have not named in order to protect the victim’s identity, was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

He had previously been found guilty after trial of two charges under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Act.

He had also pled guilty to a third charge under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

On June 22 at an address in Irvine, the man seized his girlfriend by the clothing causing it to tear, pushed her, seized her on the body and repeatedly struck her on the head to her injury.

He also acted in an aggressive manner, shouted and swore at the woman, and repeatedly banged on a door and windows.

Later, at Saltcoats Police Office, he was found in possession of cannabis resin.

Defence solicitor Mr Gray said: “He has previous convictions and clearly the concern is for domestic offences. There are a number of domestic offences between 2004 and 2011.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon told the accused: “If that offending keeps up, you’re going to spend some time in prison.”

For the first two charges, the man was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.

He was also given a Programme Requirement with two-year supervision. For the cannabis possession, he was fined £90.