A man who carried out a “prolonged and persistent” attack on his partner, causing her “significant” injuries, has been jailed for 49 months.

David James Francis had drunk heavily and taken pregabalin pills when he launched into the assault at the home of his victim in Bishop Auckland, in the early hours of March 8 this year.

Durham Crown Court heard after a verbal confrontation, Francis punched his partner in the face ten times.

Although the woman ran to the kitchen to ring 999 on her phone, Francis struck her on the back of her head with his drink glass and a cup, as well as kicking her in the left leg.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court Francis then pummelled the woman with repeated punches to the ribs, and bit her arm.

Read more: Man admits biting police officers outside Bishop Auckland Hospital

She screamed for him to get out and removed his cans of lager from her refrigerator, trying to usher him from the premises.

He left, grabbing his cans of lager, having thrown milk and tobacco on the floor.

His victim was treated in hospital for two fractures and two displacements to her ribs, one of which caused a slight puncture of the lung, causing her breathing difficulties.

She also suffered some internal bleeding, abrasions to the back of the head, lacerations, bruising and swelling to the face and mouth.

Mr Newcombe said her injuries were consistent with her account of the attack, although Francis claimed in a statement issued to police after his arrest that he acted in self-defence and that she was the aggressor.

He claimed she had tripped during the incident, landing face down, to try to account for her injuries.

Francis, who appeared heavily intoxicated upon arrest, admitted having taken a lot of pregabalin pills.

Mr Newcombe said Francis’ past criminal record features offences of violence and he was subject of a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving at the time of the incident.

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The 36-year-old defendant, of Elm Terrace, Coronation, Bishop Auckland, admitted causing grievous bodily harm, a plea accepted by the Crown, having denied the more series offence of wounding with intent.

He also admitted two assaults on emergency workers, police officers he bit as they tried to arrest him near Bishop Auckland Hospital on December 3 last year, plus theft from a car, last September, putting him in breach of the suspended sentence.

In an impact statement, some of which was read to the court, the victim stated that Francis has, over the course of several years, inflicted verbal, physical and mental abuse on her, and despite her having tried to end the relationship, he was always reluctant.

She added that she is fearful of what might happen when he leaves prison.

Jessica Slaughter, representing Francis, said she had to recognise he has, “a troubled past, with previous convictions which are relevant”.

She told the court: “He has had drug issues in the past and he has managed well while on remand for the large part of this year, keeping off drugs.”

Miss Slaughter said this was despite the pills helping to relieve chronic pain he suffers from since he crashed into a wall, damaging a foot, in the dangerous driving incident of 2020.

She added that it was accepted the domestic incident left his victim with, “horrible injuries she should not have sustained.”

Jailing Francis, including 15 months for the breach of the suspended sentence, Judge James Adkin told him, referring to the domestic attack: “It’s a nasty one.

“It was a prolonged and sustained assault causing significant injuries.

“It’s also had a significant impact on her and she has significant concerns about the future.”

The judge put in place a ten-year restraining order forbidding Francis from seeking to contact or approach his victim.

Read next:

                Bishop Auckland man denies wounding woman with intent

                Four County Durham criminals hauled before Durham Crown Court last week

                Pair both convicted and jailed for attacks on former partners in County Durham

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