A BRADFORD man pushed his 77-year-old partner to the floor of a hotel as he couldn't face any more shopping on the opening day of The Broadway, a court heard.

Malcolm Clegg, 64, visited the new shopping centre on November 5 with his partner of 26 years, Edith Parton, and the pair stopped at the Midland Hotel for a break during their trip.

Prosecutor Suzanne Paige told the court that after Ms Parton said she wanted to return to the centre to buy a jumper, an argument ensued and Clegg rushed at her, pushing her to the floor and punching her arm.

Staff at the hotel, on Cheapside, had to intervene to stop the confrontation and call the police.

Michelle Flaga, for Clegg, of Little Horton Lane, Bradford, said her client denied punching arthritis-sufferer Ms Parton, instead saying he had landed on top of her during the argument and had leant on her to push himself back up off the ground.

She said he had wanted to stop shopping, admitting he effectively "lost it" as he wanted to go home due to his bad back.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court yesterday.

Clegg was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £150 criminal courts charge, £85 costs, and a £15 victim surcharge.