A WOMAN was found sobbing hysterically in a tent in the Lake District after her partner attacked her, pulling clumps of hair from her head.

Former soldier Paul Morris, 41, also tried to strangle Zoe Savage, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

But the defendant was spared an immediate prison sentence after his lawyer told a judge that the defendant was suffering undiagnosed post traumatic stress when the carried out the attack and two others.

The defendant admitted three assaults on Miss Savage, his now former partner.

The first was an assault causing actual bodily harm, carried out when he and Miss Savage - a serving soldier - were living at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire last August.

During a row, he threw a glass at her, hitting her in the face.

When she fell, he tried to punch her, and stamp on her head, said prosecutor Beccy McGregor.

The second attack was a common assault, when Morris grabbed his partner by the head and hit it against a wardrobe before punching her.

That also happened at Catterick Garrison.

The most serious attack was a wounding offence.

Outlining what happened, Miss McGregor said Morris and Miss Savage were staying in a tent at the Park Foot Holiday Park near Pooley Bridge, beside Ullswater.

During an row, the court heard, Miss Savage made what she accepted as a "stupid comment."

"This led to the defendant attacking her," said Miss McGregor.

"He laid into her, ripping clumps of hair from her head, and strangling her. He also hit her.

"She began to shout for help whilst he kept hitting her."

Two strangers intervened to help Miss Savage, but Morris took up a fighting stance with them, saying: "Come on then."

Another witness heard blood-curdling screams from Miss Savage, found crying hysterically, with clumps of torn-out hair lying scattered about the tent.

She had an open wound on her right eye brow.

When challenged by police, Morris claimed Miss Savage injured herself.

In a statement, Miss Savage spoke of the impact of the facial scarring she had suffered.

"I have numerous bald patches, and I am extremely conscious about this," she said.

"I feel insecure."

She said she still loved Morris but knew knew she could never be with him.

Mark Shepherd, for Morris, from Coupar Angus, Scotland, said: "This is a catalogue of offending and Mr Morris was involved in serious violence over a period of time, but that violence was secondary to the PTSD which he clearly was suffering from at that time; and it was untreated at that point.

"Irritability, anger, and excessive alcohol consumption are common symptoms of untreated PTSD."

Morris had 22 years of "exemplary" Army service behind him, he said.

Imposing a 22 months jail, suspending the sentence for two years, Judge Peter Davies told Morris: "I have to ask myself a question: is an immediate custodial sentence necessary, or is it avoidable?

"I have come to the conclusion it is avoidable in the exceptional circumstances of this case.

"But not because of your post traumatic stress disorder; not because of that, oh no. Your Army record saves you."

Judge Davies added: "Persistent and continuous domestic violence such as you exhibited will not be tolerated."

Morris must complete 150 hours of unpaid work, 30 days of rehabilitation, and pay a £140 surcharge.