A man has been jailed for two years after a court heard he kicked his girlfriend in the head.

Leeds Crown Court heard Anthony Matherson, 56, had been in a relationship with Tina Brooke for about six years but was under a restraining order not to contact her after earlier offences of battery last year.

However on November 22, they had gone drinking together before returning to his address in Chapel Hill, Huddersfield, John Bull prosecuting told the court today.

Matherson was standing further up the steps when he suddenly took hold of the bannister and kicked out with his foot towards her standing below.

She put her arms up to protect herself but was kicked three or four times to her head and arms ending up curled up on the floor.

Leeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

She was bleeding from her nose, lip and right eyebrow and had pain in her right wrist which was subsequently found to be broken.

Mr Bull said Matherson helped her up from the floor but when she tried to use her mobile phone to call the police he snatched it from her and smashed it.

She was taken to hospital where she had stitches in cuts around her eye and her wrist was put in a sling and later a cast. Matherson at that time claimed her injuries were caused in a fall.

Elyas Patel representing him said he now accepted committing the “unsavoury” assault. He said when both parties were sober they got on “like a house on fire” but when in drink there were problems.

He said since spending time in custody Matherson’s condition had improved and he was in a healthier and more positive frame of mind.

Matherson admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Tina Brooke, breaching the restraining order and damaging her phone.

Jailing him Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said the victim was vulnerable because of her situation and Matherson had used a shod foot in the assault which aggravated his position.

He said it was encouraging that he was doing well in prison but warned him: “You have to stop drinking and taking drugs otherwise you will be back before the court again in the future.”