A MAN who viciously attacked his ex-girlfriend for arriving at his home late has been jailed for two months.

Kenneth Pippin, 34, of Lower Street, Stansted, punched, kicked and pulled the hair of Claire White, a police officer, after she went to his home on May 22.

The front of her hair was ripped from the top of her scalp. She was left with bruises and grazes to her face and body.

Pippin, who was convicted of common assault at Harlow Magistrates Court last month, was sentenced to imprisonment by the same court last Wednesday. He was also ordered to pay Miss White £150 compensation.

Prosecuting, Chris McCann told the court that Pippin and White had been partners between 1991 and May 1997.

On the day of the attack Miss White arrived at Pippin's home more than an hour later than expected.

Mr McCann said: "He began shouting at her. The arguments were centred around her lateness. He suddenly began punching her in the face. She said `Stop it, stop it or I'll call the police'."

A witness said he saw Pippin hit Miss White in the face. She retaliated by slapping him in the face.

Mr McCann said: "He then went berserk and hit her several times with his hands. She went down on the ground. He continued hitting her with his hands and fists and at one point pulled her hair."

The witness called the police and Pippin admitted the assault when interviewed by officers.

Defending, Paul Cammiss said that Pippin was annoyed that Miss White gave him no explanation for being late and that both were in an aggressive state.

He said: "He accepts that he did assault her in the way she describes."

The court heard that Pippin had been convicted of criminal damage and affray just two months before the assault.

Chairman of the bench David Webb told Pippin the bench had taken into account the seriousness of the assault, the injuries sustained, and the previous conviction of affray.

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