A Newcastle Emlyn man was ‘devastated’ after he head-butted his former girlfriend in the mouth, a court has heard.

Iestyn James, aged 21, of Glynfa, Station Road, pleaded guilty to assaulting Rhian Jeremiah by beating, when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard that the pair were in a relationship and were living together in a Cardigan flat at the time of the assault on June 3.

Miss Jeremiah had been under considerable stress due to family illness, and James head-butted her during a heated argument when he was late for work.

When interviewed he told police he was devastated by his actions, adding: “She didn’t deserve that.”

Miss Jeremiah’s tooth was loosened by the assault and James had a small cut to his forehead, but neither sought medical attention.

David Williams defending said: “Her tooth reset itself. My client is significantly sorry that this incident happened at all.”

Sentencing was adjourned until August 6 for a probation report to be completed, and James was released on conditional bail.