An ex-boyfriend who arrived “intoxicated” at an address where his former partner was, twice slapped her, leaving her with a burst lip, a court heard.

Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court was told that 30-year-old Dean Haughan assaulted the woman after turning up at her address in Carlisle uninvited – though he denied that had been the case. He pleaded guilty to a common assault.

Rachel Dixon, prosecuting, outlined the background to the offence. She said the woman was at the address at around 7pm on Boxing Day when Haughan arrived, clearly intoxicated.

“An argument ensued in the property and he slapped her once to the face with the back of his hand,” said the lawyer. “He then slapped her a second time but with greater force, splitting her lip. So it was a repeated assault.”

Miss Dixon said the victim could be considered vulnerable.

The lawyer told magistrates the defendant, of Stanhope Road, Carlisle, had 121 offences on his criminal record, including one that earned him a 28-day jail sentence in November. The prosecutor added that the victim wanted a restraining order.

Anthony Wilson, for Haughan, said that the defendant had been involved in a row about a personal issue and both were “in drink and intoxicated”. During the row both were waving their arms around, he said.

“He’d say it was a reckless rather than a deliberate slap,” said Mr Wilson. A Probation Service officer in court said the defendant’s mental health issues would prevent him from doing any unpaid work in the community. The officer said: “Mr Haughan told his offender manager he was sofa-surfing but he hasn’t said where he’s been staying.”

Addressing the court about his unstable accommodation issues, Haughan said: “Because I have a criminal record, I’m not a priority because I’ve done a few shoplifting offences and a bit of violence.

“You’re always at the bottom of the food-chain. It’s a bit of a joke.”

He said he had given the court a friend’s address because he had nowhere else to go. He repeated his lawyer’s point that he had accidentally injured his former partner, adding: “I’m a nice person.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, with a requirement to complete 30 rehabilitation activity days. They also ruled that Haughan should pay his victim £50 compensation. They imposed a restraining order, forbidding any contact with the woman for a year, along with £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge. Leaving court, the defendant said to magistrates: “Thank you. Have a nice day.”