A Muslim trainee solicitor beat up his girlfriend when she threatened to reveal to his friend that she was pregnant, a court has heard.

Harris Imran, 24, had been "shunned" by his family after they found out about his mixed-race relationship and so he did not tell them his partner was pregnant.

Having already by ostracised by relatives, he was said to have been "terrified" his friend would also shun him if they became aware of the pregnancy too.

His career in law may now be in tatters after he assaulted his girlfriend of three years over an argument that stemmed from a phone call.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Imran was called by a friend on December 21 but lied and told his partner it was from his grandmother.

But when his girlfriend found out the truth, she threatened to message his friend and tell them that she was pregnant - causing Imran to "flip out."