AN AFC BOURNEMOUTH footballer who was convicted of attacking his former partner was given a suspended prison sentence when he appeared before a domestic violence court.

Gary Stephen Bowles grabbed his victim’s throat as she lay in bed, banged her head on a wall and then bit her on the arm.

The 23-year-old, who signed for the Cherries in August from non-league side Dorchester Town, denied assaulting his ex girlfriend Tessa Thorn by beating on September 25 last year but was found guilty following a trial before South Somerset Magistrates.

District Judge David Parsons, sitting at Yeovil, was told that Bowles had a previous conviction for grievous bodily harm for which he had also been given a suspended prison sentence.

“This was an assault that took place in her own home where she should have felt safe, especially at the hands of someone she had been in an intimate relationship with,” he said.

He sentenced Bowles to a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, during which time he must carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

He also ordered the defendant to pay Miss Thorn £400 compensation and £425 towards the costs of the trial and he was also made the subject of a three-year restraining order preventing him from having contact with the victim and from going to Highfield Road in Yeovil.

Prosecutor Chris Ansell said that Bowles had been in a relationship with Miss Thorn but they had separated.

He went to her home address at 4.30am and after he had thrown stones at her bedroom window, she let him in.

“She went to her room and found Bowles lying in her bed and when she asked him to get out, he refused,” he said. “He grabbed her throat and pushed her backwards and banged her head against a wall.”

He was then restrained by the victim’s father.

Defending solicitor Neil Priest said that Bowles, of Mudford Road, Yeovil, was very sorry.

He described him as a “young man with a bright future”.

AFC Bournemouth released a statement that said: “AFC Bournemouth is aware of Tuesday’s sentencing and is dealing with the individual internally. The club will be making no further comment on the matter.”