A FORMER Hensingham man who illegally detained and assaulted his partner by forcing a pen into her mouth has been jailed.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that Chance Watson’s victim said her life had been “ruined” by his behaviour.

The experience had left her a nervous wreck, constantly breaking down, crying and struggling to leave the house.

Watson, 35, who has recently been living in Lancashire, was jailed for 15 months.

The defendant had denied the offences, but he was convicted after a trial.

Tim Evans, prosecuting, described how Watson became violent to the woman after he and she had been to a 21st birthday party on July 12 last year, but then left and went to his father’s home in St Bees. Both had been drinking.

Mr Evans said of the victim: “She talks about her life being ruined.” She had nightmares in which she saw Watson’s face, added the barrister.

Outlining the factual basis of his sentence, Judge Nicholas Barker said Watson ­— who was made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order ­— had pushed a pen down the woman’s throat, damaging her teeth.

She had tried to escape through the front door, but Watson refused to let her leave, the court heard.

There was reference to bolt-croppers or pruning shears being present during the false imprisonment.

“The defendant was verbally abusive,” said the judge. “That was part and parcel of the false imprisonment.”

The judge also referred to how the woman had tried to call through a window to a neighbour for help ­— and it was at this point that Watson had grabbed her by the neck and forced the pen into her mouth, said the judge, who acknowledged that the woman had probably not been truthful to Watson over an issue.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, told the court: “This was a toxic relationship.” She said it was the first time Watson had been before the court for this type of offence.

She said Watson, a scaffolder, was fearful for his safety if sent to Durham Prison.

She made reference to a violent Workington criminal who he believed may threaten his safety.

Jailing Watson for 15 months, Judge Barker told him: “It was a volatile relationship, some might say toxic.”

But given the nature of the assault causing actual bodily harm and the false imprisonment only immediate custody was appropriate, he added.