A Kingswood man pummelled his partner so badly it looked like she had been in a professional fight. Joshua Skuse punched the woman in the head, bruising her chin, cheek and forehead.
The 28-year-old, of Orchard Road, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge Julian Lambert handed him nine months' jail, suspended for 21 months.
The judge, who saw photos of the victim's injuries, said: "It is like she had been in a boxing match. But there is no question of sport here."
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Judge Lambert said the easy option would have been to lock Skuse up. He said the right option was to try and make him a better person.
Skuse was handed a Building Better Relationships Programme, an Alcohol Treatment Programme and up to 20 days' rehabilitation. The judge told Skuse: "Get through this and lead a decent life."
David Maunder, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Skuse seemed to be "bristling for an argument" before rowing with the woman as he drove her to her mum's. After stopping near Kingswood Civic Centre he punched her several times, the court heard.
Ultimately she was able to ring for police. Skuse drove them further, but stopped the car and walked off and was arrested later.
Skuse, who sustained scratches to his chin and cheek, told police the complainant had hit him in the face and damaged his hire car. He said she had wanted him to get into trouble.
Tabitha Macfarlane, defending, described the offending as "unpleasant, violent, distasteful, bullying and nasty". But she told the court: "He's not chanced his arm - at least he had the courage to plead guilty."
