A WOMAN suffered a fractured arm when she was attacked with a broom by her boyfriend in a row about food.

Gints Lielbardis hit his girlfriend Sigita Barovska so hard that the broom broke into three pieces and fractured the ulna in her left forearm, Bradford Crown Court was told.

Miss Barovska also suffered a black eye and facial injuries during the attack in April, but Judge David Hatton QC noted the couple were still "very much in love".

Prosecutor Ben Campbell told Bradford Crown Court today that the couple had visited London and it was when they returned to Bradford that an argument started over food.

Miss Barovska went to hospital following the attack and had to undergo an operation to fix the fracture to her arm.

The day after the assault Lielbardis, 37, of Neale Street in Bradford city centre, grabbed his partner by the hair during another row in the street.

The defendant, who was assisted by a Russian interpreter, pleaded guilty to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and common assault and Judge Hatton described him as an angry man and someone who struggled with his temper.

Barrister Angus MacDonald, for Lielbardis, acknowledged that the case passed the custody threshold, but he said his client had already been in remand for three-and-a-half months.

Mr MacDonald said Lielbardis had faced up to matters at an early stage and now expressed genuine remorse.

The court heard that the defendant had take steps to address his problems with drugs and alcohol while in custody and Mr MacDonald highlighted the fact that his client had no previous convictions for violence.

Judge Hatton said Lielbardis had carried out a "fearsome attack" on his partner and had caused a serious injury to her arm.

"Fortunately those injuries were not permanent or long-lasting and the following morning you assaulted her again," said the judge.

"She seems to want you back... you're very fortunate.

"You have already served a considerable period in custody since your arrest which I don't imagine has been very pleasant."

The judge sentenced Lielbardis to a total of 18 months in prison suspended for two years and he ordered him to do 150 hours unpaid work for the community.

The defendant will also have to comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement and pay a court charges bill of £1,000.