A demolition worker escaped spending Christ-mas behind bars for an attack on his former partner, a court heard.

Damian Terry, 41, was due to be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court yesterday for causing Stephanie Bedford grievous bodily harm in Bradford on December 21 last year.

Miss Bedford and members of her family attended court but the case was adjourned until February 7. Terry, of Jackroyd Lane, Mirfield, had not turned up to meet his probation officer last month, his barrister Stephen Wood said.

Mr Wood said the defendant was working in Blackpool at the time of the appointment.

Judge Peter Benson adjourned the case until Terry has seen a probation officer on a new date of January 8. He enlarged Terry’s bail until the sentencing hearing on condition that he attends the appointment. Judge Benson told him: “Custody is inevitable in this case.”