A jealous Bristol man found guilty of assaulting his partner with a bag containing a vodka bottle has walked free from court.

Zimbabwean Gift Veremu had denied assault causing Gillian Maloney actual bodily harm in the incident on May 20.

But at Bristol Magistrates' Court he was found guilty of the assault that resulted in Mrs Maloney needing stitches to her mouth and chin and ongoing dental treatment.

Yesterday, the 47-year-old from Hartcliffe was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for one year, given a supervision order for a year, ordered to pay £150 in costs and £150 in compensation to his victim.

The court heard how Veremu was extremely jealous of his partner and did not like it when Mrs Maloney asked to spend the day by herself.

It was when Veremu spotted Mrs Maloney in her car on the way to see her brother that he approached the vehicle and assaulted her.

During the trial, Mrs Maloney said: "He had stayed the night at my home but I wanted to spend some time on my own. He didn't take to it kindly but he left. Later that morning I was on my way to my brother's and saw him across the road.

"My windows were open because it was a hot day. I leaned forward to talk to him and said I was going to my brothers. As I pulled myself back up a bag came through the open window and hit me in the face."

Yesterday the court heard that blood was trickling down her chin, and covered her clothes.

Mrs Maloney had to have three stitches around her mouth and ongoing dental treatment due to a vodka bottle, which was inside the bag, breaking her tooth.

Paramedics arrived at the scene and police arrested Veremu.

PC Benjamin Blackmore, who attended the scene, told the court that in his opinion Veremu was drunk.

But Veremu was calm and offered no resistance to arrest.

In his defence Veremu said he had been involved in a tug of war with the bag after she had demanded he join her in the car so they could both go to her brother's house.

Yesterday the court heard how Veremu, who is on benefits, has liver problems, drinks too much, and has depression.

He has no previous convictions for violence. But in July 2002 the Evening Post reported that Veremu was convicted of harassment after bombarding a 55-year-old woman with phone calls and following her.

He was given a two year conditional discharge, a two-year restraining order and ordered to pay £100 compensation.