A football reject knocked out his ex-girlfriend as he drove dangerously with her and their baby in his car.
Vincent Burke, once on the books at Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Oldham Athletic, was seen by a witness "walloping" victim Emily Clarke in the head during an incident in Llangefni, North Wales, last September.
Burke, of Rokeby Street, Everton , was jailed for 10 months at Caernarfon Crown Court after admitting dangerous driving and assault causing actual bodily harm, reports North Wales Live.
The pair were driving from Liverpool to Anglesey but Burke, 25, lost his temper when Miss Clarke wanted to return home.
Richard Edwards, prosecuting, said Burke and Ms Clarke had been in a relationship for four years but had split up last July.
On September 28 last year Ms Clarke had contacted Burke for advice after being assaulted by another woman in Liverpool.
Mr Edwards said Burke had suggested a drive into North Wales and by 5pm that afternoon he, Ms Clarke and their young baby daughter were in Llangefni.
He told the court: "Ms Clarke indicated she would like to go home and the defendant lost his temper and walked away.
"As members of the public became aware of them he returned to the car and drove away. He was shouting and screaming at her and was driving fast and erratic."
At one point he went through a red light and phoned his mother.
Mr Edwards said: "While he was on the phone he punched Ms Clarke to the face after she shouted at him. He then punched her again knocking her unconsious.
"She came round as he was splashing water into her face. She climbed into the back of the vehicle as the defendant continued to drive."
Another witness saw the car in Caernarfon Road, Bangor as Burke acted aggressively towards the woman and again in Bethesda where the vehicle was causing an obstruction.
Mr Edwards said: "The witness said the car was parked half on the pavement and the front door was open. He was leaning into the vehicle and walloping the woman three or four times."
Burke was later arrested by police at Llanddulas.
Ken Heckle, defending, said Burke was a man of previous good character and suggested he was a "person crying out to be educated".
He added Burke had been a promising footballer playing for Liverpool Schoolboys before spending a year at Manchester City moving on later to the other clubs.
"Football made his education take a backward step," he said.
The lawyer accepted that Burke could be jailed for what he had done but argued there was a viable alternative in suspending the jail term and adding requirements.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said the offences were "far too serious for anything other than immediate custody".
He added: "This was violent controlling behaviour which created real risks by your driving."
In addition to the jail term Burke was banned from driving for 17 months and hit with a three year restraining order prohibiting contact with Miss Clarke.
