A WOMAN is standing by her boyfriend even though he viciously attacked her in a late-night drunken row witnessed by passing motorists on a Hampshire road.

Hannah Cove sat in the public gallery at Winchester Crown Court as a judge heard details of the assault inflicted by Gary Hudson shortly after he had been released from prison.

Prosecutor Edward Phillips described how he twice punched her, knocking her against a bridge in West End Road, Southampton.

He then walked up and down the road before punching her again, causing her head to jolt backwards and forwards.

The assault was witnessed by people in vehicles and one had to stop after Hudson walked into the road. Hudson then repeatedly banged on the vehicle’s bonnet and hit a door.

“The driver thought he was drunk because he was swaying,” Mr Phillips told the court.

When police arrived on the scene, Ms Cove, who suffered a bruised forehead, was in “a desperate state, saying she was petrified”.

However, the court heard she later changed her approach and was less helpful to the police.

Michelle Clarke, defending, said the probation report made depressing reading and Hudson had a catalogue of violent offending.

“It was a drunken row, but that does not make it more attractive reading.

“He had only just been released from prison and he has jealousy issues.

“He had been drinking and is not proud of what happened.”

Hudson accepted he needed help and was prepared to go on a domestic abuse programme.

“It’s a small step in the right direction. I’m not going to say everything in the garden is going to be rosy but he knows that will be a more difficult option than sitting in a prison cell,” Ms Clarke added.

Hudson, 25, of Terminus Terrace, Southampton, admitted common assault and criminal damage.

Said to have 33 previous convictions, he received a five-month suspended sentence with two years’ supervision and an order to attend the programme.

Mr Justice Royce told him: “You have indicated you are prepared to take part in the programme and hopefully that will bring some change in your attitude and approach.”