AN IRAQ war veteran, diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), punched his girlfriend in the face during a row, a court heard.

Martin Williams, 24, pleaded guilty at Newport Magistrates Court to assaulting Cerys Morgan following an argument on New Year's Day.

The court heard Williams, of Blaen Blodau Street, Newbridge, and Miss Morgan got involved in an argument at his home, leading Williams to smash a mobile phone on the floor and damaging the screen on a laptop.

During the row, Miss Morgan's sister Emma tried to separate the pair, at which point Williams punched Miss Morgan once in the face, making her nose bleed and giving her two black eyes.

When interviewed by police, he said he did not know why he had done it and his "mind went blank - she knows how to push my buttons."

Williams said he felt sick to his stomach to think about what he'd done.

Magistrates heard Williams served in the army in Iraq but was medically discharged in 2008 and was diagnosed with PTSD.

He is undergoing counselling with a psychiatrist to help with his condition.

Magistrates adjourned the case until February 11 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.