A man who hid up a tree to evade the police after slapping his girlfriend has been jailed.
Dale Peter Hunter, 22, had a history of violence against partner Emma Rae, a court was told yesterday.
It resulted in Hunter, of Kingsway, Newton, Chester, being jailed for battery against Miss Rae in July last year, the court heard.
West Cheshire magistrates sitting in Chester heard details of an assault on Miss Rae in the early hours of Saturday, when an “appalled witness” called the police after Hunter hit Miss Rae while the couple were involved in a heated argument in the middle of a road. Both were intoxicated, the court heard.
Marie Haydon, prosecuting, said: “The witness saw Hunter hit Miss Rae, causing her to stagger backwards.
“He hit her in the face and then both walked into a nearby park and when police arrived the defendant was hiding in a tree.
“This defendant has a history of domestic violence against his partner.”
Peter Barnett, defending, said: “This assault, although unpleasant, resulted in no injury to the unfortunate girl.
“Both were intoxicated and Mr Hunter has no recall of striking this young lady, although he accepts he has.”
Magistrates sentenced Hunter to 20 weeks in prison.