A GARDENER battered his girlfriend, shattering her spleen, less than a year after being jailed for another attack on her.

Raymond McWilliams kicked Sharon Bradley "like a football" during the incident at her home in Glasgow's West End last August.

McWilliams later refused to call an ambulance for the stricken 34-year-old and put her to bed.

She eventually managed to sneak out of the flat to get help for an injury a judge was told could have killed her.

McWilliams had been jailed for three months in October 2006 for an assault on his partner.

The 26-year-old was yesterday remanded in custody by the High Court in Glasgow after admitting the latest attack.

The couple, along with friend Gordon McKee, had been at Miss Bradley's home in Halley Place, Yoker, last August 31. Miss Bradley fell, hurting her head, which left her upset.

Paul Kearney, prosecuting, said McWilliams tried to give her first aid, but she fended him off.

The court then heard that as Miss Bradley lay on her hands and knees, her lover began kicking her in the stomach.

Mr Kearney added: "He was saying to her: I was only trying to help, don't make me do this'."

Their friend Mr McKee later described the kicks as like "someone volleying a football".

After the attack McWilliams refused to get help for his partner and put her to bed.

Ms Bradley managed to escape from the flat, despite being in great pain, after McWilliams fell asleep.

An ambulance rushed her to hospital, where it was found her spleen had been shattered.

Prosecutor Mr Kearney said if Miss Bradley had not been treated the injuries would have been fatal.

McWilliams, of Howat Street, Govan, later told police he had kicked his partner three times, but that only one had been "forceful" and had struck her shoulder.

Judge Lord Turnbull deferred sentence until next month for reports.