A defendant accused of assaulting a former partner claimed she makes up allegations against him because of a row over the child they have together.

Self-confessed former career criminal and recovered drug addict Darren Hammerton, 36, appeared at Dacorum Magistrates Court on Tuesday after police were called to an alleged domestic dispute on Friday, August 22.

Hammerton, of Gullet Wood Road, Watford, pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, but denied a public order offence and assault, which were not proceeded with by the prosecution.

Magistrates were told after numerous previous offences Hammerton had not been convicted of anything for two years and has been clean of drugs for five-and-a-half years.

He admitted he was drunk on the day in question, but claimed his partner made the false complaint to scupper his chances of getting joint custody of their young child.

The court heard several allegations had been made against him, which have not made it to court, and Hammerton was frustrated at being arrested.

Chairman of the bench Neville Wade imposed a two-year conditional discharge and ordered £120 costs to come from his benefits.