JEALOUS Ryland Halliday hacked off his girlfriend’s hair and cut her hands after accusing her of being unfaithful, a court heard.

The drunk 22-year-old carpenter walked free after a judge said he was “not without hesitation, just persuaded” to pass a nine month suspended prison sentence over two years.

He also ordered Halliday to pay Miss Minto £1,000 compensation, and the defendant will have to complete 250 hours unpaid work.

Halliday, of The Street, Pluckley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Halliday, his girlfriend Rebecca Minto, her three-year-old daughter and a friend went out on September 5 last year to celebrate Halliday’s birthday.

When they returned home, Halliday went to the kitchen, grabbed a pair of scissors and started cutting off chunks of Miss Minto’s hair while accusing her of sleeping with his friends

The victim suffered cuts to her hands and left eye as she tried to grab the scissors. She said her daughter was screaming and thought the child was going to witness her murder.

Jennifer Twite, defending, said Halliday had little or no memory of what happened, but he fully accepted what Miss Minto said occurred.

“He fully accepts responsibility,” said Miss Twite. “He demonstrates remorse and shame about his behaviour. He immediately apologised.”

Halliday was working as a carpenter six days a week and was due to start exam studies at college.

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, said Halliday’s guilty plea was the only thing that could be said in his favour.

Miss Minto’s child must have been terrified, he said.

Halliday had also cut the victim’s hair in a way that was “embarrassing and disfiguring and required professional care”.

Judge Patience added: “I have had to decide whether to send you to prison straight away, as you richly deserve, or whether there is an alternative course which doesn’t have the appearance of being soft, sending out the wrong message to others thinking this is the right way to behave.”

Halliday was also ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs.