A man pushed his girlfriend to establish his masculinity, Skipton magistrates heard.

Gareth Nicholson, 23, felt humiliated by his girlfriend during an argument in front of her relatives, the court was told on Wednesday.

The argument, at the couple's home in Rombalds Drive, Skipton, on July 14, got out of hand and resulted in Nicholson grabbing his girlfriend by the neck and pushing her.

The defendant admitted common assault, although he had initially challenged the severity of the incident when arrested by the police.

In mitigation, Julian White said Nicholson had reacted badly because of the presence of his girlfriend's relatives.

"He realises it was wholly inappropriate, but he was trying to assert his manhood after being humiliated in front of her family," said Mr White.

He said that the couple, who had been together for more than three years and had one child and another on the way, were now reconciled and normally had a stable relationship.

Magistrates gave Nicholson a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £50 costs.