A BUTCHER said to be obsessed with a Southampton prostitute punched her in the face in a row over a phone call.

Michael Dusek, 42, had regular sex with Bernadette Maughan, who used the cash to fund her long-standing heroin addiction.

Southampton Crown Court heard the couple had known each for about five months before the “nasty” attack, which happened after she had gone to his home, where she had sex with him for £25.

Prosecutor Gavin Sumpter said the prostitute had opened a can of lager when her mobile phone rang.

He became angry and argumentative, refusing to accept it was from her nephew, and punched her in the left eye.

She became hysterical and began screaming so loudly a concerned neighbour called the police.

When officers arrived, Dusek had hold of his victim by her shoulders and both had traces of blood on them.

Ms Maughan had suffered a significant injury to her eye and was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment.

Mr Sumpter added she had since made a full recovery.

Dusek, of Blackberry Terrace, Southampton, admitted causing actual bodily harm.

Sentencing Dusek to a nine-month suspended sentence, plus 12 months supervision and an order to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, Recorder Paul Garlick said it was a “nasty assault”. Dusek was given six months to pay court costs totalling £450.