A MAN has been jailed after he was convicted of assaulting a woman.

David Briggs has been ordered to serve 24 weeks behind bars after he admitted to the assault.

The 48-year-old was due to stand trial after previously denying the charge, but changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.

The Barrow man admitted that he assaulted Adele Lupton by beating her on July 8.

The defendant, of Steamer Street on Barrow Island, was also made the subject of a restraining order.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard the offence took place at around 10pm on the day in question.

The victim and defendant were said to have been in her home together in Barrow before an argument took place between them.

The defendant the assaulted the victim, magistrates were told.

The victim then called the police and Briggs was arrested a short time later.

Magistrates heard Briggs caused 'severe injuries' to the victim.

The bench was told that the defendant had previous convictions for violence.

Magistrates, led by chairman Gillian Sutton, gave limited credit to Briggs for his late guilty plea on the day of the trial.

Sentencing him, they said it was a 'sustained and vicious assault' on the victim.

The defendant was also served with a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.

He has also been ordered not approach Storey Square in Barrow.

On top of the jail sentence and restraining order, Briggs was also told to pay compensation of £150 to the victim for the assault.

He not ordered to pay a victim surcharge or court costs and was given until December 14 to pay the compensation.