A drunken Knowle West man headbutted and punched his girlfriend after calling at her home in the early hours.

David Tape, 24, pleaded guilty to assault by beating when he appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court.

The court was told that when Tape visited his partner's home at 1am on March 1 after a night out, he grabbed her by her dressing gown and pushed her against some bushes outside.

Tape, of Stockwood Crescent, Knowle, then headbutted the woman on her cheek before punching her in the face.

Crown Prosecutor Rowena Harding said the victim's sister and next-door neighbour had witnessed the assault and the police were called.

When interviewed by officers, Tape told them he had consumed six or seven pints of lager but denied assaulting the woman.

Peter Richardson, defending, said: "Mr Tate finds it hard to believe he acted in this way and since the incident, has done a lot of soul searching and that's why he wanted to plead guilty."

Mr Richardson said his client, who works as a renderer, had not displayed any violence towards his partner in the past, adding: "He can't remember what happened on this night or why it happened.

"He hopes there is a future with the relationship and hopes to rebuild things but knows there are issues which need to be addressed."

Magistrates asked for a report to be drawn up before sentencing on May 19, when he is likely to receive a community punishment.