A MAN must pay £1,500 to his former girlfriend for breaking her nose during a birthday celebration.

Mark Carter and Cheryl Bellerby went for a meal and drinks in York city centre to mark her approaching birthday, said Michael Cahill, prosecuting.

But after leaving The Stone Roses pub they argued which became physical as they walked to Parliament Street until Carter pushed Ms Bellerby to the ground, breaking her nose. He then walked off while shopworkers on their way home went to her aid.

Carter’s barrister Jessica Strange told York Crown Court that CCTV showed that Ms Bellerby had struck Carter seven times and kicked him but that didn’t justify him pushing her over.

“He very much regrets he caused her any injury. He also regrets simply walking away at that point,” he said.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, said: “I am not in a position to decide who started it or what it was about. Too much drink didn’t help.”

He ordered Carter to do 100 hours’ unpaid work, banned him from having any contact with Ms Bellerby for the next three years under a restraining order and ordered him to pay her £1,500 compensation.

Carter, 36, of Coxwold House, Lowther Street, York, pleaded guilty to affray on the day he was due to stand trial.

Mr Cahill said the couple went for their night out on July 18 as Ms Bellerby’s birthday was approaching.

Doctors had declared since then her broken nose had set “very well” but she was left with a bump on her nose.

Miss Strange said Carter had behaved out of character and had not been in trouble with the law either before or after the incident.

He now had a new girlfriend who was standing by him, the court heard.