A MAN has avoided jailed despite carrying out an unprovoked attack on a woman and damaging a door.

Christopher Bowyer appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on December 6 to be sentenced.

The 57-year-old, of Hamletts Close, Winsford, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of assault and another of criminal damage at a hearing on November 15.

The charges relate to an incident which took place in Winsford the previous day in which Bowyer attacked a woman and damaged a man's front door.

Taking his guilty plea into account, magistrates sentenced Bowyer to eight weeks in prison, but suspended the term for 12 months.

The court heard a custodial sentence was imposed due to the offence being 'an unprovoked attack of a serious nature'.

But it was also heard the sentence could be suspended due to the defendant having a 'likely prospect of rehabilitation by addressing his thinking skills with the Probation Service'.

Magistrates also ordered Bowyer to pay £500 in compensation to his female victim and complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

No application was made for a restraining order, neither was an order for further compensation over damage to the door. 

Bowyer will return to Chester Magistrates Court today, December 15, to stand trial on three further charges.

He faces two assault charges, relating to an incident alleged to have taken place on October 25.

The final charge is one of sending a threatening message, which Bowyer is accused of doing on November 10.