A MAN who lent a woman weights during lockdown and then attacked her when she returned them to him has been spared jail.

Andrew Ord, of Cadnant Drive in Bagillt, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old had admitted at a previous hearing that on August 7 last year, he assaulted Sharon Harrison, occasioning her actual bodily harm.

Andrew Green, prosecuting, told the court that the victim - who also lives in Bagillt - had sold the defendant a hot tub during lockdown on Facebook.

Thereafter, they exchanged "friendly messages" on the platform, and one day Ms Harrison posted a message asking if anyone had any weights they'd be willing to sell or give away as gyms were closed.

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Ord said he had some she could have, and gave them to her.

In the leadup to the offence, the defendant messaged her on Facebook demanding the return of his weight.

But the victim was busy and didn't reply straight away, which it appeared Ord was offended by.

In one message he threatened to "send the boys over" to get them back, which concerned Ms Harrison.

She went with a friend to return the weights, and when she arrived at Ord's home an argument ensued.

He launched an unprovoked and sustained assault on her - striking her to the face and then kicking her to the legs and lower abdomen.

Ms Harrison said the attack left her with physical injuries, as well as anxiety about going out in the village in case she bumped into Ord.

When the defendant was interviewed by police, he claimed it had been the victim who was the aggressor and that he'd acted in self defence.

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Ord was unrepresented at the hearing and said nothing in his own defence.

Judge Nicola Saffman said his behaviour has been "absolutely shameful" and "clearly linked to alcohol" which he'd consumed at the time

"I am sure you're utterly devastated by your behaviour," she told him.

The Judge handed down a nine month custodial sentence, but suspended it for a year.

Ord must carry out 40 days of rehabilitation and pay £500 compensation, as well as a £156 victim surcharge.

A restraining order of two years was put in place to prevent Ord from approaching or contacting the victim.