A soldier attacked his girlfriend while he was absent without leave from the Army, Skipton magistrates were told.

Stuart Caswell, 21, had no previous history of violence against his girlfriend until he left the Army without permission, the court heard on Friday.

Caswell, who had seen active service in Afghanistan and was suffering from post traumatic stress, pushed Nicola Eastbury, sat on her and put his hands over her face to stop her screaming, it was alleged.

After being arrested by police, he was returned to the Army and spent 90 days in custody for being absent without leave.

Prosecuting, Caroline Midgley said Caswell, of Gloucester Avenue, Silsden, and Miss Eastbury had been in a relationship for some time and had a young child together.

On October 8, Caswell had been left with the child while Miss Eastbury had gone out for the evening, but had later contacted her to say he wanted to go out too. Mrs Midgley said after leaving the child with his mother, Caswell had gone to the club in Keighley where Miss Eastbury was and told her what he had done.

Miss Eastbury returned home to Main Street, Sutton, to find that Caswell had broken the door fitting to get in.

Caswell then proceeded to push Miss Eastbury about, causing her to crash against the kitchen sink, before sitting on top of her and putting his hands across her mouth.

“She tried to climb out of the kitchen window to get away, but he stopped her,” said Mrs Midgley.

Miss Eastbury, who suffered a small cut to her face and injuries to her legs, finally escaped, flagged down a passing motorist and called the police.

Caswell, who admitted assault by beating and criminal damage, had spent six months in Afghanistan between October 2009 and April 2010 before moving on to the Falkland Islands.

In mitigation, John Mewies said Caswell had been treated for depression and when he was arrested he had been taken into military custody.

Mr Mewies added that both had been drinking on the night.

Sentencing was adjourned for reports.