AN Edithmead man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after assaulting a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

Matthew Patrick, whose address was given as Edithmead Leisure and Park Homes, committed the offence on Sunday, November 5 in Bridgwater.

The 41-year-old gave an indicated guilty plea on Thursday, February 29 at Taunton Magistrates' Court, where he was handed a suspended sentence order on Monday, April 8.

Court documents say the offence was “so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified”.

Patrick has been told to pay his victim £1,012.76 in compensation, plus £135 in court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

He must also comply with alcohol abstinence and monitoring for 120 days (until August 6) and take part in a 42-day Building Better Relationships programme.

And he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work within one year.

The documents also say he must “comply with any instructions of the responsible officer to attend appointments, or to participate in any activity as required by the responsible officer, up to a maximum of 30 days”.