A man has been jailed for nine months after he subjected his girlfriend to a sustained assault over several hours during which he also spat at her and tipped beer and ash over her head.

Richard Walters, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court today the victim Carol Richardson, 37, had some hearing impairment and other difficulties.

She began a relationship some weeks earlier with James Donaghey who was a neighbour in Fernside Court, Almondbury, and on the night of May 20 he visited her at her flat.

They were talking into the early hours but about 2am when she began to fall asleep that annoyed Donaghey who said he had not finished talking to her.

He slapped her across the face 10 to 15 times, accused her of cheating on him and started throwing objects at her including keys, sweets and a cigarette lighter which hit her head.

He then tipped the contents of an ashtray over her head and pulled her hair before banging her head on the headboard of her bed. He also poured beer over her head and twisted her breasts while she was begging him to stop.

He told her he would “torture” her until 7am before twisting her arm and spitting at her. She described him as like a madman. He eventually used a screwdriver to slash the mattress and headboard telling her she would be next if she reported him.

He also threatened to harm her cat before he did leave at 7am. She then sought help at Huddersfield Civic Centre. She had lumps and bruises on her head, face and elsewhere as well as her hair being covered in beer, ash and saliva.

Mr Walters said as a result of the ordeal she had left her home and Huddersfield and still suffered flashbacks of what had happened.

Carl Kingsley told the court for Donaghey he had a drug and alcohol problem for which he had now sought help but believed he had also not grieved properly following the death of his mother and grandfather in recent years.

Mr Kingsley said: “He had got into this relationship with this lady and immediately relied on her for support. He perceives rightly or wrongly she has cheated on him. At the time he was intoxicated as well and accepts he acted very badly. She must have been frightened. It was despicable and in the pre-sentence report he expresses his deep shame.”

Donaghey, 34, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Jailing him Recorder Anil Murray said it was a sustained attack lasting several hours involving gratuitous degradation.

“You threatened to torture her all through the night and in fact kept up this behaviour a number of hours between 2-7am.

“The report says you are ashamed and so you should be.”