A man from Nottingham aged 38 is uncertain whether he will receive a prison sentence after being convicted of assaulting his partner in the aftermath of a funeral.
Nottingham Crown Court was told that Matthew Duffin had been consuming alcohol when he knocked the woman to the ground on a public road.
He subsequently touched her neck and chest region, though prosecutors agreed that he had not strangled her.
Sentencing was scheduled for the defendant from Broxtowe by Recorder Luke Blackburn, but the judge stated he requires additional details regarding any previous violent incident before determining whether any custodial punishment will be served immediately.
The judge stated that proceeding with sentencing without all necessary information would be imprudent.
Phil Cowburn, for the prosecution, outlined that the assault occurred in Weston Super Mare on October 28 last year.
He stated that Duffin and his partner had travelled to the location to attend the funeral of Duffin’s grandfather.
After the service, they visited the Cabot Court Hotel on Knightstone Road where both drank substantial amounts of alcohol.
During that evening a dispute arose between them, and he acknowledged his level of intoxication at the time.
He used abusive language towards her before the confrontation moved onto the road where he knocked her down.
He admits he may have gripped her clothing and left, but the incident resumed and he pushed her once more using physical force.
He made contact with her chest and neck but denies any strangulation and the prosecution accepts this account.
Miss Pidcock stated that Duffin, residing on Eltham Drive, was interviewed and declined to answer questions posed.
He subsequently entered a guilty plea to common assault and has six prior convictions covering nine offences.
Miss Pidcock stated that there is a pattern of violent behaviour, including an earlier conviction for aggravated vehicle taking.