A WOMAN beaten and tortured by her violent partner said last night his victims had been let down by the courts after he was jailed for a minimum of four years.

Stephen Spence, a 51-yearold slaughterman from Darlington, carried out a string of attacks on two former partners, including branding them with an iron.

Yesterday, at Teesside Crown Court, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, imposed an indeterminate sentence, with a fouryear minimum term.

After the hearing, one of Spence’s victims said she felt betrayed by the decision.

“It is as if what me and the other victim went through was worth just two years each,” she said.

“The police domestic abuse team did a wonderful job, and the domestic abuse service were with me 24-7, but the courts have let us down badly.

“I will suffer physically and mentally for the rest of my life.”

Spence, formerly of Sanderson Street, Darlington, had earlier pleaded guilty to five charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Fox sentenced him “for the protection of the public”.

He said: “I have to class you as dangerous to women. They need the protection of this court.

“I don’t know when you will be released. At some stage you will be assessed and someone else will have the responsibility of gauging whether you are safe to be let out into the community.”

The offences took place between February 2008 and last September.

In a number of different attacks, the first woman was grabbed by the throat, choked, and had her tongue pulled.

Judge Fox said: “She describes how your mood appeared to change in an odd way, how your eyes would become like glass.”

The second woman had her head beaten against the furniture and walls, and her eyes were gouged. Both were branded with a steam iron.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said the incidents were not out of character.

In 1992 Spence was jailed for three years for assaulting his then wife in an attack that left her with severe bruises, a fractured rib and a punctured lung.

In In mitigation, Keiron Rainey said Spence’s behaviour had deteriorated after the death of his 16-year-old son, Sam, in 2006.

Mr Rainey said Spence had shown remorse for his actions, and he had started reforming his life since being remanded in custody last October.

He said he had attained advanced privileges in prison and had secured a job in the kitchens.

Judge Fox said he would give Spence credit for his early guilty plea, but expressed doubts over the defence’s claims that he was remorseful for his actions.

He said: “You look at these events as fights between you and your former partners.

“You justify your behaviour by saying there was some form of provocation, and because you were affected by drink and drugs.”

Detective Sergeant Carl Moss, who led the police investigation, said he hoped the sentence would not prevent other women from coming forward.

“I am pleased with the sentence, it sends out a strong message,” he said.

“But I do understand the victim’s disappointment because if Spence was to be released in four years, then I would agree that that isn’t long enough to reflect the crimes he has committed.

“I believe his behaviour is so entrenched over the past few decades that I find it hard to believe that he could convince anyone he is a reformed character.”