A TEENAGER who was charged with attacking his ex-partner to injury whilst barred from going near her has been acquitted after the woman claimed she 'can't recall' the formerly alleged incident.

The witness, 19 — who was given a stern warning regarding her apparent amnesia — told police that Ross Cox had repeatedly punched her on the face and head within her Greenock home.

In a statement given to an officer, she said: "I told him to leave as I was scared and he said, 'I'll show you what scary is'."

During a trial at the sheriff court the woman — who agreed that she needed medical treatment for a 'split nose' — declared: "I can't recall what happened."

She said she couldn't remember giving a statement to police and told the court that she didn't know who caused the injury.

Cox, also 19, of Drumfrochar Road, was on a bail order to stay away from the woman when it was alleged he assaulted her shortly before last Christmas.

His ex-partner told the trial: "I had too much to drink and can't remember."

Sheriff David Hall warned the woman regarding her evidence before she conceded that she and Cox had 'started arguing'.

Asked by prosecutor Lindy Scaife what happened next, she said: "I can't recall."

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife said: "You to and fro about your statement and then when it comes to the crucial parts you can't remember."

Charges against Cox of breaching bail by being with his ex at her home and assaulting her on December 5 last year were dropped as a result of the formerly alleged victim's evidence in court.

He had previously admitted to flouting the bail condition on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day and to assaulting a civilian Police Scotland worker by spitting at him.

Sheriff Hall remanded Cox in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing which will take place on September 8.