In Flathead District Court on Thursday, a Columbia Falls man admitted physically abusing his girlfriend and driving drunk.

Cody James Gaines pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of partner/family member assault and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol.

A felony count of assault on a minor was dropped as part of a plea agreement.

He was sentenced to 18 months in the Flathead County Detention Center, with all time suspended except the 24 days already served. He was fined $800 and will have to pay $125 in court fees.

“You will be required to complete 40 hours of anger management,” Flathead District Judge Heidi Ulbricht told Gaines.

Gaines also will have to complete a drinking and driving course.

His driver’s license will be suspended, but Ulbricht said she is likely to recommend Gaines as eligible to receive a provisional license.

Court documents detailed how Gaines assaulted his girlfriend after she confronted him about his drinking. He allegedly slammed her against a wall and threw a 4-year-old boy into a room. The girlfriend told police Gaines then locked her out of the home and she had to be let back inside by the young child.

Gaines was stopped later that night by police.

On the witness stand, Gaines admitted driving on Whitefish Stage Road after drinking a pint of whiskey.

He also admitted pushing his girlfriend and causing her pain.

“She was scared,” Gaines said.

The two are now engaged.

Gaines said on the witness stand that he suffers from depression and anxiety.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.