A thug launched a ‘serious and sustained’ attack on his ex-girlfriend using a broom, a court heard.

Thomas Bernard Naylor repeatedly whacked the cowering woman during a row, magistrates were told.

During the assault, the 20-year-old squeezed his hands around his victim’s throat and spat in her face, prosecutors said.

Naylor, of Frith Terrace, on the Moss estate, admitted assault and criminal damage at Macclesfield magistrates’ court.

He was given a community order with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work.

The court heard that Naylor’s three year relationship with the victim had ended in December 2013 and there had been regular arguments since.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “On December 24 the complainant had 12 calls from the defendant.

“He swore at her and said ‘you wait until I get my hands on you’.

“The defendant then arrived.

“He was very angry and shouted ‘who do you think you are?’.

“He grabbed her and tried to move her from the car but she didn’t move.

“He then started to kick the driver’s door.

“He moved around the vehicle and tried all the doors to see if they were unlocked.

“He then tried to punch the window through.

“The defendant then spat in her face and laughed before driving off.

“He returned a few minutes later. He started hitting her around the legs with a broom.

“He grabbed her by the throat and squeezed. Two people tried to drag him away. He pinned her to the flood pushing the broom into her chest.”

The court heard that the victim ended up covered in mud and with bruises and marks from the brush.

Defending himself Naylor said: “I am sorry for what happened. It wasn’t right.”

Chairman of the bench of magistrates, David Coulston said: “This was a serious and sustained attack which included the use of a weapon in the brush. Mercifully you didn’t cause more injury.”

Naylor was also ordered to pay £200 compensation for the victim’s injuries and damage to the car.