A DRUNK domestic abuser with a 'significant criminal record' attacked his partner in a Port Glasgow supermarket on the day of his mother's funeral.

Brian Warnock lashed out at Lidl and hit the woman - with whom he had been in an on-off relationship for more than a decade - on the head.

Warnock, 48, admitted to the assault charge and had not guilty pleas accepted by the Crown to further allegations of shouting, swearing, behaving aggressively and uttering violent threats and offensive remarks.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that the complainer was staying with Warnock on May 11 this year following the passing of his mum.

The couple entered the Newark Street store in the evening after the woman had collected an 'intoxicated' Warnock from the town's train station, the court was told.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said: "There was a considerable queue and the accused became agitated and wanted to leave.

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"An argument took place over car keys which resulted in the accused taking hold of the complainer's arm and striking her to the right side of her head, on her ear, with his hand."

The woman, who lives in London, returned to Warnock's Moss Road home to gather her belongings and the incident was then reported to police.

Solicitor Amy Spencer, defending, said: "There is no doubt that this is a serious matter particularly given his record.

"It appears that there were some fairly tragic circumstances in his life at the time of this offence. That is not an excuse but it does place the behaviour in context.

"He resorted to previous coping strategies and this occurred on the day of his mother's funeral with emotions running high and alcohol added to the mix.

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"It was a recipe for disaster."

Miss Spencer said her client has previous convictions for similar offences but added that 'there has been a decline in his offending in recent years'.

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said he had been persuaded not to impose a jail sentence despite Warnock's 'significant criminal record'.

In an email submitted to the sheriff, Warnock's partner pleaded with the court to 'show him some kind of compassion' and confirmed that she was not seeking a non-harassment order.

A community payback order was imposed as a direct alternative to custody, meaning Warnock will be supervised for 12 months and will have to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work as punishment.