A MAN who twice assaulted his partner has been remanded in custody even though he has already served more than the maximum time on remand.

Benjamin Gough, 31, pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

But the judge remanded him in custody for reports.

Gough pleaded not guilty to threatening to kill the woman and prosecutors said they would not seek a trial on that count.

Graham Bennett, defending, asked for his client to be sentenced immediately to a jail term for the two assaults.

He said Gough had initially been granted bail but after breaching conditions in December he was remanded.

Mr Bennett pointed out the maximum sentence for common assault is six months and Gough had already served three months and two days on remand.

As prisoners are usually released at, or before, the half way point he said he had already completed more than the maximum sentence.

But Judge Douglas Field said there were “some worrying aspects” of the case which meant he wanted the probation service to compile a pre-sentence report.

He turned down a request for Gough to be released on bail to stay with his mother.

Gough, of Park Lane, admitted assaulting the woman on December 4 and during September or October last year.

The case was adjourned to April 4.