A DELABOLE man has been sentenced to 90 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, for assault by beating.

Mr Stacey Darren Witherell, aged 37, of Newhall Green, Delabole, pleaded not guilty at Bodmin Magistrates' Court, that at Camelford on November 27 last year, he assaulted Samantha Poole by beating her, but the court found him guilty on February 6.

He was sentenced on February 27 to 90 days imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. The magistrates indicated that this was because the offence was so serious and spitting was as serious as a physical blow, adding that alcohol was no excuse.

Mr Witherell will be under curfew for three months as part of the sentence, having to remain at his address between 7pm and 7am on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and be electronically monitored (tagged).

He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and £300 in Crown Prosecution Service costs. No compensation order was made because there was no permanent injury.

The magistrates took no action on the commission of a further offence while under an 18-month conditional discharge.

For a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.