A MAN who launched a prolonged and brutal attack on a woman in her own home is now behind bars.

Michael James Saunderson, 38, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm at York Crown Court and was jailed for nine months and prohibited from entering certain roads in Sherburn, Malton, for ten years.

The court heard Saunderson, from Brompton-by-Sawdon, went to the home of his 49-year-old victim, where she lived with her 14-year-old son, one evening last July.

He attacked his victim in front of her son, grabbing her by the hair and hitting her head onto the floor, causing head injuries which required hospital treatment.

Det Con David Adams welcomed the sentence and said: "There was no other reason that he went to the address of the victim that night, other than to carry out a seriously violent and targeted attack on her in her own home.

"The victim’s son heard everything that Saunderson subjected his mother to and saw her substantial injuries, which no child should ever have to witness."