A 44-year-old man who repeatedly punched his ex-girlfriend in the face has been ordered by a judge to spend less money on alcohol so he can pay her £500 compensation.

Mark Wakeling, of Mint Street, Undercliffe , Bradford, pleaded guilty to causing Karen Lambert actual bodily harm in January.

Prosecutor Richard Smith told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that Miss Lambert, 39, had dozed off at her flat when Wakeling began hitting her and squeezing her throat.

She suffered bruising to her face and body.

Wakeling’s barrister, Giles Bridge, said he was seeking help for his drink problem.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC sentenced Wakeling to a high-level community order for 12 months with supervision.

He made a restraining order barring Wakeling from having any contact with Miss Lambert and ordered him to pay the compensation at £10 a week.