A DAD from Hardwicke who attacked his estranged partner in the street and then lashed out at a good samaritan who came to her rescue was praised by a judge for "sorting his life out."

Samuel Moulder, of Hardwicke Court, Bristol Road, had pleaded guilty to assault, affray and possessing a bladed article on September 26 last year outside the Restoration pub in High Street, Cheltenham.

The 26-year-old was given a suspended sentence which he subsequently breached, but Judge William Hart gave him a last chance to comply or face custody.

At Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Hart told him: "You have sorted out your life, your work, accommodation and childcare and you are engaging well with the terms of the suspended sentence order.

"You have clearly taken the warning I gave you on the last occasion to heart and are back on track.

"I will allow this order to continue but will add 10 hours for the previous breach.

"Now get on and finish it and don't come back!"

A probation spokeswoman said that he had attended all the appointments, engaged well and had completed 49 of the 150 hours imposed.

At a previous hearing, prosecuting barrister Julian Kesner said: "When he saw an ex-partner and a friend he approached them and shouted 'I want to see my baby.'"

"They argued, he became increasingly aggressive and grabbed his partner and then a man in a passing car stopped to help.

"The man returned to his car but the defendant followed him and hit him on the back of the head.

"When arrested he was found to be in possession of a Stanley knife, spanner and two drill bits. He was wearing his work clothes."

Mr Kesner said that the defendant had a previous conviction for assault and for robbery for which he had received a custodial sentence.

Moulder was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 18 months supervision and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to the man.