Man broke his ex's back and slammed her head into a dog cage

Ben Hurst had, the day prior, launched a vacuum at the victim and poured beer all over her head in what Preston Crown Court heard was an ‘act of degradation’.

The 33-year-old of Kents Square, Ulverston, was sentenced on January 22 after offering guilty pleas to 'wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent', assault by beating, and three counts of fraud by false representation.

Prosecutor Peter Malone said the offences took place at the end of what he described as a ‘toxic’ relationship.

Outlining the facts of the case, Mr Malone said: “The parties had both been drinking when the section 20 assault took place.

“The defendant made a nasty comment in relation to a previous alleged assault which angered the complainant. She shouted ‘get out of my life’ to Hurst and then slapped him to the face in the kitchen.

“As they went into the hallway, the defendant threw a vacuum cleaner at her before stamping on her body.”

He then proceeded to laugh whilst pouring a can of beer over her head, the court was told. Hurst then left her property.

Mr Malone said the victim was in ‘excruciating pain’ the following day, that she could barely open her eyes and that it took her one hour to get out of bed.

“As a result of how she was feeling, she knew her injuries were so bad she needed to go to hospital,” the prosecution continued.

“As she was about to leave, the defendant returned to the property. He was drunk carrying a bottle of rum.

"He accused her of having other men in the house whilst he was away. He then pushed her into a corner before grabbing her by the head and slamming it into a metal dog cage.”

The court heard the assault didn’t end there.

Hurst then grabbed his ex-partner by the hair, threw her into a wall and slapped her three times to the face. She told the defendant: ‘I want to go to hospital. You cannot keep beating me like this’.

The court was told the defendant then spent £91.66 in three transactions, using the victim’s bank card without her permission, whilst she was in hospital being treated for a minimal displaced fracture of the vertebrae.

Mr Malone said the complainant was ‘particularly vulnerable’ due to pre-existing health conditions.

In mitigation, defence solicitor Bob Elias said: “This defendant comes to court with his bags packed. He has had a drink this afternoon in anticipation of not leaving by the front doors.

“He has done himself no favours with victim blaming during his interview with probation. He thinks she has made a bit of a meal of it.

“This was an ill-matched couple. The relationship was fuelled by alcohol on both sides. It was unhealthy. He has accepted some responsibility but not in a proper mature way.

“This man needs to control his alcohol intake because that is what is at the heart of his offending. He needs to grow up and sort himself out.”

His Honour Judge Richard Archer said appropriate punishment could only be achieved by imposing an immediate 26-month custodial sentence.

“There is no prospect of rehabilitation for someone that displays your attitudes,” Judge Archer told the defendant.

A five-year restraining order was also imposed with provisions of the defendant not being able to contact his ex partner directly, indirectly or via a third party.