A CARLISLE man lost his temper and hit the mother of their children - after she returned from a friend’s house.

Toni Davidson had left the children with Lee Andrew Graham and went to visit a friend on April 25.

Graham, 33, of Dunmail Drive in the Morton area of Carlisle, appeared before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court on Monday.

Outlining the prosecution case, Peter Bardsley said: “Toni Davidson went to a friend’s house, leaving the children with the defendant.

“He texted her demanding she returned home, getting more and more frustrated as time passed.”

When Miss Davidson returned, she then went to go and collect a son from a friend’s house.

Mr Bardsley continued: “She was going back to get her son and the defendant refused to let Miss Davidson leave the house.

“It ascended into a frenzy.”

It was then that Graham punched Miss Davidson in the face.

“She then managed to escape,” explained Mr Bardsley.

“She saw a friend outside and police are then contacted.”

Police arrived at the scene to find Miss Davidson had bruising and swelling to the right side of her face.

Graham pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Defending himself, Graham told the court: “It should never have happened. Because of alcohol I need help.

“I want it sorted, so I can get my life back together.

“I am very sorry for what I have done, I should never have done it.”

The court also heard from the probation service, who said Graham had shown “clear regret and remorse” in an interview.

It was also heard that Graham was also convicted of assault in 2016.

Graham was given a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, to take part in a three-month alcohol treatment programme, be under curfew for 24 weeks and to not enter the address of the victim for 28 days.

He must stay at his address between 7pm and 7am daily.