she ended their relationship, he told a court on Friday.

Student Shaun Patrick Woolridge, of Verdmont Valley, repeatedly punched Janell Wade in the stomach and slapped her face. She went to hospital with a bruised elbow and scalp.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, told the court that 16-year-old Wade went to her uncle's home in Smith's on July 10, and when Woolridge arrived saying he wanted to speak with her, she decided to leave.

"She wanted to have nothing to do with him,'' said Insp. Duffy. She got on her bike and started to leave, but Woolridge approached her and took the key out, repeatedly saying: "You're not going anywhere''.

Wade tried to get the key back, but 21-year-old Woolridge put his face up into hers, causing her to push his face away.

Woolridge picked her up, pulled her to the ground, pushed her against a wall and repeatedly hit her, said Insp. Duffy.

Woolridge told Police that exhaust fumes from the bike went into his face, and because he thought Wade had done it on purpose, he took the key. He claimed she slapped him in the face and broke his neck chain.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis asked him: "What caused you to attack this girl?'' "The way she cut me off,'' replied Woolridge. "She didn't give me no explanation. She hit me and I hit her back. I just snapped.

"I'm sorry for what I done. I just wanted to talk to her. She overheard people talking about how I was messing around this way and that way. It was untrue.'' Woolridge admitted assaulting Wade, who lives in St. George's, and causing her bodily harm.

Mr. Francis adjourned the case for two weeks for a social inquiry report.

"You have committed an offence for which I can't see my way around sending you to prison,'' he said. "But I want to see if there's something I might do to take another course.''