A MAN who robbed his partner of £25 in cash and assaulted her on a bus has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Darryl Andrew Wright, 27, got into an argument with the woman at Bishop Auckland bus station as they prepared to return to their home in Hartlepool on April 29, Durham Crown Court was told.

Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said Wright got his victim into a headlock before robbing her, after which he continued to pull her hair and lash out.

Passing sentence, Recorder Bryan Cox said: “The assault was a piece of gratuitous violence after the robbery had been completed.

“You used a significant degree of violence causing her injuries including a swollen and bruised eye and split frenulum (gum).”

He added: “The aggravating feature is that it was in the context of an abusive relationship - a result of which the complainant suffered significant psychological harm.”

The court was told there had been two recorded incidents of domestic violence, including one which resulted in Wright being convicted for assault and being given a community order. The couple have since split.

Neil Bennett, mitigating said the argument had arisen over the woman calling an ex-boyfriend to give them a lift home.

Wright of St Bede’s Walk, Hartlepool, who pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing actual bodily harm, was also made subject to a restraining order.