A CONSTABLE with Greater Manchester Police who denied punching his girlfriend was convicted of assaulting her despite her backing his story.

Stephen Johnson, 29, attacked Annemarie Murphy, 38, in a caravan in North Wales, last summer, a court heard.

He pleaded not guilty to common assault - and Ms Murphy said he had caught her with an `accidental hit' during a drunken row that also involved her sister.

But he was convicted after the court chairman said other prosecution witnesses were `credible' and his defence was not.

Johnson was granted unconditional bail while a pre-sentence report is prepared.