A WOMAN tried to get her children out of her flat before she was assaulted, a court was told.

Ross Jordan punched the woman in the cheek, called her names and destroyed items in her living room in a drunken fit on September 26.

Kate Price, prosecuting, said the 27-year-old arrived at the flat and fell on the settee shouting offensive names.

"Knowing an argument would follow, she decided to take the children and leave the flat," she said.

"The defendant got up off the settee after being sick everywhere and further called her names. He tried to take one of the children from [the woman] when she was picking him up from his cot. The defendant then punched her in the cheek bone."

The victim then said she kicked Jordan between the legs so she could take her son back from him and left the flat with a neighbour and her other child.

When she returned, she found Jordan, of Millfield Gardens, Kidderminster, had smashed the television and several candle holders and photo frames and damaged the fire place and some net curtains. She was also left with small swelling to the left side of her head.

In mitigation, Barry Newton said Jordan's behaviour was out of character and there had been no previous incidents reported.

"He had consumed too much alcohol on the day of the incident," he said.

A letter was also sent to the court from Jordan's grandmother, who he lives with, stating what he had done was so far out so character for him.

Jordan pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, October 16.

Stephen Gillespie, chairman of the magistrates, said: "One of the most concerning things is the attempt to grab a child, so we are ordering a full report be completed before we sentence you."

Jordan was granted bail on the condition he had no contact with the victim or her children, who have not been named for legal reasons, and will next appear at the court on November 13.