A ROOFER who left a woman feeling like "a defenceless little girl" after hitting her in the face in Wrexham City Centre has been sentenced.

Daniel White, of Turls Hill Road in Sedgley, West Midlands, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old had been convicted at a previous hearing of common assault, which took place in Brook Street on September 16.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offence the defendant had left Abbot Street's Karaoke Bar.

As he did so, he took full glasses of drink - which he was told by door staff that he shouldn't, but he barged past.

After leaving, a woman named Joy Erica Abano Rabaya challenged him on his behaviour, asking: "Who do you think you are?"

The defendant approached her and slapped her to the face with the back of his hand.

He struck her two further times in the same manner, causing swelling to her cheek.

READ MORE: Man ordered to pay more than £1,000 compensation for damaging flower shop window

In a victim impact statement, Ms Rabaya said the attack made her feel like "a defenceless little girl."

Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court: "He is ashamed of what he did.

"He had been working in Wrexham as a roofer and had no intention of going out drinking that night.

"He was still in his work clothes and he was experiencing difficulties with his mental health at the time.

"He had split up with his long-term partner of 16 years, but he said he doesn't use this as an excuse."

Mr Connah said the defendant had accepted he "drank far too much" on the night.

Euros Jones, defending, told the court: "He was working away and went out drinking with other workmen.

"He wishes to apologise to the lady and he wishes for her to be compensated."

District Judge Gwyn Jones told the defendant: "It is clear from viewing footage from the CCTV system that you had drunk more than was good for you.

"What is of concern to me is that you didn't like to be challenged - you appear to have hit her without any thought whatsoever about the impact of your offending on her.

Make sure you don't miss the top court stories of the week by signing up to our free court newsletter

The Leader:

"She felt like she was a defenceless little girl - which are the words in her statement.

"She could not protect herself from the actions of someone who should not have acted in this way."

The Judge handed down a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity days, 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work and costs of £85.

He must also pay £500 in compensation to the victim.