A judge has advised a 41-year-old man not to "waste this opportunity" after suspending his sentence for assaulting a former partner.

Ceejay Henry, of no fixed abode, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

After initially denying the charge, Henry had pleaded guilty to throwing a can of hairspray at his former partner during an argument, causing injury to her head.

The court heard that the couple had spent time drinking with friends on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

They returned to their Lowestoft home in the early hours of the next morning, which is when they began to argue.

The court was told that Henry had accused his former partner of having relationships with other men, before growing angry and throwing a can of hairspray at her.

Adam Norris, the defence counsel representing Henry, urged presiding Judge David Wilson to take in to account the time Henry had recently spent in custody for other offences.

He argued that Henry’s previous offences were characterised not by violence but by drugs.

“He is trying very hard to deal with the blight of drugs on his life,” said Mr Norris.

Judge Wilson sentenced Henry to 34 weeks in prison. H

However, the judge took the decision to suspend the sentence for two years.

He also gave Henry a restraining order, banning him from contacting his former partner, visiting her address or any other where he believed she would be.

On leaving the courtroom, Henry thanked the judge, “Thank you for this opportunity,” to which Judge Wilson replied: “Don’t waste it”.