Former footballer Peter Beagrie avoids jail after being found guilty of punching girlfriend

Former Sheffield United and Scunthorpe footballer Peter Beagrie has escaped a jail sentence after being found guilty of punching his girlfriend in a late night drunken rage.

Beagrie, from Killinghall in North Yorkshire had denied a charge of assault by beating but was convicted at Skipton Magistrates court.

The court was told the attack took place after a champagne fuelled row about whether or not the couple should get married.

In April this year, Beagrie had been out for a celebratory meal in Harrogate with his girlfriend Zarah Blake.

He had drunk about six glasses of champagne and three gin and tonics before the talk turned to possible marriage.

He told magistrates today that he said to Miss Blake "we both know that's not going to happen', there is certain stuff that's in the way of that sort of thing, that's when it sort of turned and she slapped me across the face."

Later that day, Beagrie was heard by witnesses shouting and swearing at his girlfriend before he hit her three times on the arm.

When police arrived he was said to be towering over Miss Blake who was visibly upset, she looked dishevelled and had blood coming from a cut inside her lip. She told officers Beagrie was volatile and nasty, he said he was going to kill her and he hated her.

The 51-year-old, who lost his wife to cancer two years ago was given a 12 month community order. He was also told to pay more than £700 pounds in court fees and must complete 15 days of rehabilitation for the use of alcohol.

Beagrie enjoyed a 23-year career playing for 10 clubs, including Bradford City, Everton, Manchester City and Scunthorpe United.

He retired in 2006 and in recent years has worked as a TV football pundit and commentator for Sky Sports,