A MAN who attacked his former partner and her daughter after a night out drinking has been jailed for 11 months. Andrew Banfield, 30, returned home the worse for wear. During a row he threw the girl against a wall, banging her head. Then he repeatedly pun

A MAN who attacked his former partner and her daughter after a night out drinking has been jailed for 11 months.

Andrew Banfield, 30, returned home the worse for wear. During a row he threw the girl against a wall, banging her head.

Then he repeatedly punched his then partner Tania Dobs about the head.

Banfield, of Leaves Spring, Stevenage, appeared for sentence at Luton Crown Court last week having pleaded guilty to common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm on July 10 last year. He also admitted failing to answer bail.

He had previous convictions for common assault, assault with intent to resist arrest and criminal damage.

Defence barrister Daniel Higgins said Banfield had not been out drinking since the incident. He said he accepted he needed help in "domestic situations".

He added that the father of two was remorseful about what happened.

Judge Geoffrey Breen jailed Banfield for 11 months - eight months for the assault on the woman, two months for common assault on the child and a further month for failing to appear at an earlier hearing.

He told him: "This is not the first time you have resorted to violence.