A PUBLIC relations consultant has been handed a community order for two assault offences.

James Jonathan Fenton, 37, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting two charges of battery.

The offences occurred on May 22 and August 17 last year and involved the same female victim, who was the then partner of the defendant.

Tim Shorter, mitigating, said his client had shown signs of ‘genuine remorse’ for his behaviour on the two occasions.

He said: “He gives every indication of genuine remorse for what happened.”

Mr Shorter added that Fenton, of Grove Road, Burton Bradstock, had been taking steps to address ‘what he perceived as several problematic features of his character and behaviour’ and had been abstaining from smoking cannabis and drinking.

Judge Roger Jarvis told the defendant: “You are a man who recognises that you have a number of personality and character defects.

“You have taken steps to try and obtain assistance on those defects to see whether you can correct them, that is very commendable.

“It is plain to me that there is good reason to think that with further assistance there will be no repeat of this sort of incident.”

Judge Jarvis sentenced Fenton to a community order for two years with a supervision requirement and a requirement to attend the Building Better Relationships programme at Poole Probation Service.

He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a victim surcharge of £60.