A DENTIST punched his ex-partner forcefully in the stomach when she called at his home to collect her pet rabbits the day after the couple split up, a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Jonathan Cape denies assaulting Allie Winslade and causing her actual bodily harm on June 9 last year.

Cape, 46, of South Parade, Ilkley, was connected with the town's Wells Road Dental Practice, the jury was told.

Prosecutor Katy Rafter said Cape and Miss Winslade ended their relationship on June 8 last year.

The following day, she called at his house to collect her son's two rabbits.

The couple argued and it is alleged that Cape banged the mother-of-four's head on the kitchen door frame, bruised her arms, pulled her hair and punched her in the stomach.

Cape told the police Miss Winslade was the aggressor and said there was no physical contact between them.

Giving evidence on a video link, Miss Winslade told the jury she and Mr Cape met at a birthday party in February, 2010.

She said they were in a relationship for three and a half years but it ended when she discovered he was addicted to pornography.

Miss Winslade said she at first thought it was the best relationship she had ever had.

Then, after six weeks, she claimed Cape bit her on the mouth when she was about to throw wine over him at a party.

In a later incident, she alleged he grabbed her in a headlock but was persuaded not to call the police.

Miss Winslade told the court Cape was an alcoholic who struggled with diabetes and bipolar disorder.

"I believed that the reason he was so horrible to me was because he was unwell," she said.

She was planning to move to Silsden and, on June 8 last year, told him the relationship was over, she said.

"He wanted drugs, alcohol and everything I did not want him to do," she claimed.

The next day, she says Cape attacked her at his house when they argued after she called to collect the rabbits.

She said she accused him of "rubbishing her and putting her down" when he watched "disgusting porn."

It is then, she alleges, he screamed abuse at her and assaulted her.

"He just looked like he absolutely hated me," she said.

"He punched me with full force in my bladder area."

Miss Winslade said she had previously been ill with a kidney infection. She attended Airedale General Hospital the following day with symptoms including abdominal pain and vomiting.

The trial continues.