A THUG who punched his girlfriend in the face in a drink-fuelled rage has escaped a prison sentence.

Lee Segelov, 25, of Spindle Tree Court, Pinehurst, was ordered to complete 240 hours unpaid community work by magistrates.

Segelov admitted urinating on his 18-month-old son's buggy before attacking mother-of-three Kelly Hale earlier this year.

Amanda Savage, prosecuting at yesterday's sentencing, said the pair's two-year "volatile" relationship plunged to new depths following an argument on February 12.

"Kelly's sister was looking after her three children while they were out," said Ms Savage.

"At around 3.10am the defendant came home alone.

"She let him in and spotted him urinating over their son's buggy.

"At around 7.30am the next day Kelly shouted at him.

"Shortly after, they passed each other on the stairs. He pushed into her and she pushed him back.

"He then punched her four times causing bruising to the right cheekbone.

"They continued to fight and the defendant pinned her down. He then pushed his elbow down on to her left shoulder blade."

The victim's first attempt to call police failed as Segelov grabbed the phone, said Ms Savage.

There was further pushing and shoving before Miss Hale was able to call police.

It was alleged that Segelov threatened to kill his now ex-partner as he left their Swindon home.

Segelov was arrested soon after. In interview, he admitted that arguments were frequent during their stormy two-year relationship.

Rob Ross, defending, said: "This was a destructive relationship for both of them it was genuinely volatile. It would also be true to say that Kelly gave as good as she got on a number of occasions.

"My client has realised that the only way to move forward is to break up, which is what he has done."

On top of the 12-month community punishment order, Segelov, who starts work at Honda in July, was ordered to pay Miss Hale £200 compensation and £34 costs.

After the hearing, Jenni Manners, of Swindon Women's Refuge, condemned the sentence.

She said: "Magistrates are told to send offenders to prison only in the most extreme cases.

"But this did not sound like one slap this was quite a severe beating. I would have liked to have seen the defendant given a place on a domestic violence course."

Kevin Shoesmith