An army veteran who smothered his girlfriend with a duvet after an argument claimed he was 'wiping away her tears'.

Simon Walker attacked his girlfriend at their home on Rodber Way, Lowestoft, after she returned home in the early hours of the morning.

The attack stopped when a neighbour began knocking on the door after hearing the victim screaming.

Stacie Cossey, prosecuting, said: 'They were partners for 18 months on and off and she returned home at 4.30 in the morning.

'At first he was okay and she went outside to smoke, but he followed her out and they started arguing.

'He told her to sleep in the spare bed and she went to do that, but he followed her and pinned her down.

'He put his entire body weight on top of her and was slapping her face.

'He put his hand on her throat and he also put the bed covers over her head and smothered her. He told police he was trying to wipe her tears away.'

The 28-year-old, who had been in the army since he was 16, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he was charged with one count of assault from September 16.

Lucy Brakewell, defending, said: 'He has been in the army on the front line in Afghanistan and Iraq for 12 years and has seen some horrific things.

'He is absolutely devastated and is suffering from PTSD, but he is finally getting the help that has eluded him, and many other people in the army, for many years.

'He was crying out for support from his partner who was not understanding what he was going through at the time.

'This was an incredibly sad and traumatic incident and he took out his stresses in an inappropriate way.'

Walker, now of Birdbrook Road, London, was handed a two year conditional discharge for the offence, but was ordered to pay £500 compensation to his former partner, while magistrates also imposed a 12 month restraining order, banning him from having any contact, directly or indirectly, with her.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £20 and court costs of £85.