Man fined for attacking girlfriend who refused sex in Ritz hotel room on Valentine's Night

Rhys Weatherburn pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and one of criminal damage

Ritz Hotel in London (Reuters)

A man has been fined for drunkenly attacking his girlfriend in a Ritz hotel room after she refused to have sex with him on Valentine's night.

Rhys Weatherburn, from Tonbridge in Kent, assaulted Shannon Fidge in their hotel room after an argument regarding her ex-boyfriend over dinner, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

The court was told the 20-year-old shook her and started yelling before pushing her onto the bed, according to the Evening Standard.

Fellow guests in nearby rooms heard her screaming and called the hotel's reception.

Prosecutor Robert Simpson told the court: "They had argued about some contact that the complainant had had with her ex-boyfriend.

"The defendant became jealous."

Ms Fidge, who did not appear in court for the hearing, had told him she did not want to have sex because she was tired.

Representing himself, Weatherburn told the court: "I have been very open and honest about all of the facts in this case.

"I am very, very sorry for what I've done and the trouble I have caused everybody.

"I just hope that you can take my openness and honesty into account."

London's Westminster Magistrates' Court (Getty Images)

Spyro Elia, the chairman of the bench, told the defendant: "This is a very, very serious crime which the courts take very seriously.

"It doesn't matter whether it's Valentine's, you have absolutely no God-given right to sex, whether you want it or not."

Weatherburn pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and one count of criminal damage.

He was given a community order to undertake 48 days of rehabilitation with alcohol specialists.

He was also fined £200 along with £85 prosecution costs, £100 victim compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.