Fuelled by excessive drinking, the behaviour of 26-year-old Michael Burton of North Petherwin when he assaulted a young woman and was cruel to her child were inexcusable, Judge Nicholas Vincent declared at Truro Crown Court on Friday.

Pointing out that alcohol had featured in Burton's past convictions, the Judge said that he was anxious to address his behaviour in the future. He imposed a two-year community order which will involve supervision and participation in 27 sessions of an 'addressing violence' programme and an alcohol related course.

Burton admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and child cruelty.

Prosecutor Philip Lee said that in the early hours of December 20 the woman was wakened by a noise and found that Burton had crawled through a dog flap and was lying drunk on the kitchen floor. She knew him and allowed him to sleep on a sofa. Later he headbutted her several times and punched her in the face, causing swelling and a black eye.

Burton held her child while she washed blood from her mouth and when she ran outside to call the police he placed the child on the roof of a car and chased after her. A neighbour ran out and persuaded Burton to hand the child over.

Mr Lee added that Burton, of Hellescott Road, North Petherwin, Launce­ston had five previous convictions for 15 offences, the most recent involving assault and criminal damage.