A JEALOUS alcoholic hit his girlfriend over the head with a juice bottle.

Kevin Gerrish struck Joanne Thatcher-Gilbrook over the head while she relaxed on a sofa at her home in Brighton.

Earlier the thug had argued about her friendship with a previous partner, who he threatened to stab, before calling her a “crack whore”.

Despite having 36 previous convictions, including for domestic violence and assault, he was spared a jail term at Lewes Crown Court.

Sophie Evans, prosecuting, said it was an “abusive” relationship that lasted for seven months.

Ms Thatcher-Gilbrook suffered a small scar above her eyebrow and an indent in her head, which has left her suffering dizzy spells and going unconscious after the attack in November last year.

Gerrish, 46, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Brighton Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.

Brian Shaw, defending, said his client was determined to beat his alcohol problem, and asked the judge to suspend a prison sentence.

Recorder Joshua Swirsky said: “There is some prospect of breaking the cycle of your offending, caused by drinking.”

He ordered Gerrish, of Mayflower Court in Brighton, to attend “Building Better Relationships” workshops with the probation service, and to complete 30 rehabilitation days. Gerrish must also pay £750 in compensation and was put under a restraining order.