Jeremy McConnell jailed for 18 weeks after skipping community service 'to have a hair and beard transplant'

Former Big Brother star Jeremy McConnell will spend Christmas behind bars after skipping community service "to get a hair and beard transplant".

The 27-year-old, from Dublin, was today jailed for 18 weeks at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

The short hearing came after the reality TV star breached failed to complete 200 hours of unpaid work so he could travel to Turkey for the treatment, sources told the Daily Mail.

McConnell was sentenced to a 20-week suspended sentence in August after being found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend and mother of his child Stephanie Davis.

Former Hollyoaks star Miss Davis said McConnell, 27, had also threatened to throw acid in her face during the drink and drug-fuelled bust-up at her home in Rainhill, Merseyside, on March 10.

McConnell, from Swords in the Republic of Ireland, first met his former partner after they appeared together on Celebrity Big Brother.

He had denied the attack, branding her a "blatant liar", but was convicted of assaulting Miss Davis during a trial earlier at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours’ community service.

During the trial, the judge was shown photos of a bruise that Miss Davis said was caused by McConnell biting her arm, as well as extensive bruises to her legs and body.

The defendant called her a "fat slag" during the domestic abuse, the court heard.

According to the Daily Mail, McConnell’s lawyer James Morris said he planned to appeal the sentence.