A man with a history of domestic violence who admitted wounding his girlfriend in front of their five-year-old daughter has escaped an immediate prison sentence.

Warren Lee, 26, was told he throughly deserved to go to jail for inflicting head injuries upon Kelly Martin during a row at their home in Ashford in April.

But his sentence was suspended.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the attack was one of several Miss Martin has suffered in the past at the hands of Lee.

However, despite branding the fact Lee had only be cautioned in the past as "quite astonishing", Judge Jeremy Gold QC said he was prepared "with a degree of hesitation" to impose a suspended sentence.

"I see signs that you may respond to an intensive programme," he explained. "But this is absolutely the last chance for you."

Lee, of Cheltenham Close, Senacre, Maidstone, admitted wounding and was sentenced to nine months suspended for two years.

During that time he must undergo the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme, described as a vigorous six-month programme which would also address Lee's alcohol abuse.

The court heard that Miss Martin suffered three cuts to her head caused by glass. However, neither she nor Lee, who had both been drinking, could explain how she was struck or with what.

Judge Gold said it was "more likely than not" that Lee put a glass in Miss Martin's face but could not sentence him on that basis.

He also added that the attack was aggravated by the distress caused to their child but accepted Lee was remorseful.

Alice Dobbie, defending, said that the unemployed distribution centre worker was allowed supervised contact with his daughter once a fortnight and had sought counselling.

She added that the court could be "cautiously optimistic" about his future.