A CARDIGAN man who could not remember hitting his partner while drunk, has not touched alcohol since the incident because he was so ashamed, a court heard last week.

Dyfrig John Gledhill Harries, aged 46, of 9 Maesyfelin, appeared before Ceredigion magistrates on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that the incident took place in the early hours of the morning at a house in Cardigan on May 26.

Both victim and defendant had been out drinking heavily with separate groups of friends before going back to a house party in the town.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones prosecuting said: “There was some kind of fight in which Mr Harries became involved.

“Witnesses said she punched her in the face, and she suffered a cut on her right cheek bone.”

Katy Hanson defending said Harries was extremely ashamed of his actions and what happened on that evening, and was very sorry.

“He had been drinking heavily and can’t remember hitting his partner. He can’t understand how circumstances occurred for him to hit his partner.”

She added that Harries was still with his partner, who had not wanted to press charges, and could not remember what happened either.

“He has accepted what witnesses told him, and pleaded guilty despite limited recollection.”

Miss Hanson added: “Since this happened Mr Harries has not drunk alcohol, he is so ashamed of his actions. He is truly sorry for his behaviour that evening.”

After considering a pre-sentence report prepared by the probation services, magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with supervision, and aggression management activities.

Harries was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to the injured party, plus £85 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.