A JEALOUS lover attacked her boyfriend because she suspected he was ‘unfaithful’, a court heard.

Holly Taylor repeatedly punched her partner in the face in a prolonged assault at their home on Solvay Road in Winnington.

The 35-year-old flew into a rage when she came in after working late.

Her boyfriend had been celebrating his birthday on July 31 last year, and had returned from a night out before she came home, Warrington Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday.

The couple had lived together for 11 months before the incident, magistrates were told.

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Taylor started a row as her boyfriend went to bed.

The following morning, the defendant began another argument and then became violent.

Prosecuting, Laura Simpson said: “She made a clenched fist and punched him in the face.

“She started shouting at him, calling him a ‘k*******, p**** and a cheater’.

“He tried to calm her but then she picked up a cup and threw it at him.”

When this object failed to strike him, she tried again.

“The defendant picked up a pan and threw it at him and then smashed a plate on the floor,” said Ms Simpson.

The victim tried to escape into the bathroom but the defendant followed him and continued to shout and scream.

“She hit the victim on the head and chin,” said Ms Simpson. “The victim pushed her away and said he would call the police.

“She ran at him, hit him on the back of the head, grabbed her hand round his throat and let go.

“She hit him six or seven times.

“The incident lasted for an hour.”

The victim ran into the garden to get away. The police arrived and Taylor was arrested.

When interviewed by detectives, the defendant said they had argued because ‘he had been unfaithful’.

Taylor accepted that she had punched her boyfriend in the face but did not remember throwing a pan at him.

The victim's injuries included a bruised eye and marks on his neck, the court was told.

Taylor pleaded guilty to the assault at her first court appearance on October 17.

The case had been adjourned until November 15 for pre-sentence reports.

The defendant was not legally represented in court.

When chairman of the bench, magistrate Philip Pegun asked her if she wished to say anything, Taylor replied: “I do feel bad about it.”

Taylor told the court she is employed full-time in a warehouse, working eight-hour shifts from 8pm to 4am.

The defendant was given an 18-month community order and must complete 45 days of supervised activity and 150 hours unpaid work.

Taylor was also ordered to pay £120 costs, £200 compensation and £114 victim surcharge.

Magistrates accepted her offer to pay the £434 court penalty in instalments of £50 per month, starting in December.