A brute woke his partner up by calling her names and punching her in the head.

Dean McDermot began attacking the woman while she was asleep following a barbecue at their home. The 35-year-old then grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the floor where he continued to punch her.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the victim was left with bleeding to her cheek and swelling to her eye. The incident was reported to police when the woman's two children banged on a neighbours door for help.

David Robinson-Young, prosecuting, said McDermot had been drinking alcohol and taking cocaine while hosting a barbecue on June 24 this year. He said their friends then left and the woman and the children went to bed.

The prosecutor said a neighbour opened the door at around 5.55am to find the two children visibly upset. They told the neighbour: "He's attacking my mum" and "He's hitting my mum, you have to call the police".

He said one of the officers who attended found the children hiding behind a fence. Mr Robinson-Young said: "They were distraught. On attending the house he spoke to the victim.

"She had been sleeping and was woken by the defendant calling her names and punching her in the head. He had grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the floor before continuing to punch her.

"The victim's mother describes receiving a call from her daughter's phone. It was actually her granddaughter who said: 'He's choking and hitting her'."

McDermot was arrested on suspicion of assault and he initially denied the offence. He later said he was "very sorry" and he must have done the things he was being accused of but he could not remember.

The court in Newcastle heard how the victim did not support the prosecution and did not want to provide a victim impact statement. She also did not want a restraining order to be put in place.

McDermot, of Dovercourt Road, Walker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm during a previous hearing at Newcastle Magistrates Court.

Fiona Lamb, defending, told the court how it was rare for somebody to plead guilty to an offence like this so early during proceedings. She said: "It's rarer still that a plea has been put in at the first opportunity."

Ms Lamb said that McDermot, who has epilepsy, does not remember what happened but he does not seek to challenge what the complainant has said.

She said he has spent around a month on remand and it is his first taste of custody. She said: "If he was to be released today he would live with his parents and I am told that they are supportive of him and will be doing everything they can to support him in the community.

"The defendant and (the victim) were together for 12 years. He doesn't know the status of that relationship but his part he would very much like to carry it on if (the victim) is also willing."

Ms Lamb said McDermot has a good work ethic and was the main breadwinner for the family. She said: "During this period in custody, he's been unable to work and assist."

Recorder Samuel Rippon sentenced McDermot to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

He also ordered him to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 30 days of a building better relationships course. McDermot must also abide by alcohol abstinence monitoring for 120 days.