A Shropshire man who butted his partner twice before hitting her over the head with a rolling pin and breaking her finger has escaped an immediate jail term.

Shahid Akbar attacked Stacey Jane Lovitt, the mother of his two-year-old daughter, following an argument they had at his place of work, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.

Akbar, 28, had already admitted assaulting his partner occasioning her actual bodily harm on June 4 this year. Judge Robin Onions said the offence was a “classic” domestic abuse case and warned Akbar he should face an immediate sentence for the attack.

But after hearing from Miss Lovitt, who said her partner had made progress and could change his ways, the judge agreed to give Akbar a final chance.

He imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, placed Akbar under the supervision of the probation service for 12 months and ordered him to attend an integrated domestic abuse programme.

Akbar was also told to attend a calm programme to control his anger, carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the next 12 months and pay £722 in costs.

Mr Makkan Shoker, prosecuting, said that at about lunchtime on the day of the assault Miss Lovitt had visited Akbar at work and they began to argue before he hit her in the ribs.

Mr Shoker said Miss Lovitt then left and at about 7pm that evening Akbar came round to her house and soon became violent.

Judge Onions warned Akbar he would be sent to prison if he continued to attack his partner.