A father-to-be dragged his pregnant girlfriend out of their home then left her barefoot on the step in the middle of winterl.

Daniel Allsop, 27, attacked seven-month pregnant Kerry Jones at their Crawley home after an evening drinking session in December 2005.

Scared about the prospect of becoming a father, he shouted abuse at his petrified partner before hurling a hoover pipe and a remote control at her.

When his heavily-pregnant victim tried to get up, Allsop kicked her in the back while dragging her around by her hair, Lewes Crown Court heard.

Despite the chilly temperatures and the fact she was dressed in nightwear, Allsop then hauled her from the house by her hair and dumped her on the doorstep before slamming the door.

Luckily a kind-hearted dog walker found Miss Jones hysterical and covered in blood outside the house in Ivory Walk and took her to his home where he dialled 999.

But Allsop was spared jail after a judge heard he has since been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and was now a changed man and a "great dad".

John Marsden-Lynch, prosecuting, told the court the attack happened at about 11pm when Allsop returned home from the pub.

He said: "From the moment he got in he was abusive. He said, 'I hate you, you and the baby'. He threw a hoover pipe at her then picked up a remote control and threw that.

"He continued to throw different objects at her. She thinks he was doing this because he was drunk and scared of the responsibility of parenthood.

"He took her hair and dragged her from the hallway to the lounge and said 'Get out'. She was wearing night attire.

"Because she was pregnant it was difficult for her to get up and every time she tried he would kick her in the back.

"He dragged her by the collar of her dressing gown and threw her out onto the step and slammed the door.

"Fortunately a passer-by took her in and called an ambulance. He said there was blood all over her."

The court heard it was thought an oven door had been smashed in the melee and Miss Jones had suffered deep cuts to her legs.

Mr Marsden-Lynch added: "When officers went to the house there was no answer so they forced the door and found the defendant asleep on the bed.

"He was aggressive and they needed to use captor spray to restrain him."

Allsop, formerly of Ivory Walk, Bewbush, Crawley, admitted assault.

Jennifer Gray, defending, said: "He has a psychiatric condition but he did not believe there was anything wrong.

"Later he was prescribed medication but in prison he was told he had been prescribed the wrong medication. He accepted he needed treatment, he realised he could not fix himself.

"Since then family and friends have noticed a big difference in him. He accepts the offence was completely without excuse and that he behaved in an abominable manner."

The court heard Miss Jones had penned a letter to solicitors saying she hoped the pair may be able to reconcile and that he was a "great dad".

Recorder Ian Peddie QC imposed a nine-month jail sentence but suspended it for two years. He further ordered Allsop take a domestic violence course and be subject to supervision for two years.

He told Allsop: "You I hope accept the offence is a very grave offence indeed."