A MAN has been jailed for two years after a court heard he punched his former partner repeatedly in the face after a row at a party.

Michael Davies also followed Kerrie Pearson when she took a taxi away from the gathering and was involved in another confrontation with her when that vehicle stopped at traffic lights.

That was witnessed by her young daughter who was with her.

Mehran Nassiri, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday as a result of the blows to her face the victim had to have 11 stitches to a cut under her eye.

Davies, 24, of Roundwood Avenue, Waterloo, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on April 7.

Jailing him, Judge Rodney Pearson QC said it was a nasty injury and the offence was aggravated by his previous record for violence and the subsequent presence of the child.

Mr Nassiri said Kerrie Pearson had known Davies for around eight years and was in a relationship with him for six months, which had ended about a month before the offence.

That Saturday she had received a Facebook message from the mother about Davies inviting her round to the party at Roundwood Avenue.

When she got there it was clear people had been drinking. Everything was going well until around 11pm when in the kitchen she overheard Davies talking to his brother about his relationship and she told him not to get involved.

Mr Nassiri said Davies told her to shut up and was aggressive. Soon afterwards he shut the kitchen door and punched her to the face a number of times.

There was a further confrontation outside.

When the taxi stopped at lights she begged the driver not to let Davies get in but, fearing damage, he did. She kicked Davies and he punched her but the police then arrived.

Neil Murphy for Davies said: “He would wish to apologise for what quite clearly he accepts was appalling behaviour.”