A JUDGE hit out at the "plague of domestic violence" as she jailed a man who inflicted "horrific" injuries on his partner.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Vincent Baker's girlfriend Lee Chapman needed emergency hospital treatment and surgery after he attacked her.

The defendant had set about Miss Chapman, of Cobden Street, Burnley, after he arrived at the victim's flat and found a man in the bath.

Miss Chapman interrupted court proceedings with claims of: "He didn't mean it" and "It wasn't Vinnie's fault."

Sending the defendant to prison for 12 months, Recorder Angela Nield said girlfriends and wives were entitled to protection from violence by the men they relied on. She told Baker statistics for domestic violence before the courts were frightening and his was a particularly bad example.

The judge added the defendant's sentence was shorter than normal as he had pleaded guilty, even though Miss Chapman was not prepared to give evidence against him. She said it was "remarkable" Miss Chapman was in court supporting Baker.

The defendant, who is from Bridlington, admitted unlawful wounding.

Arthur Stuttard, prosecuting, said the defendant and the complainant had a volatile relationship which was spasmodic. Miss Chapman had had an even more spasmodic relationship with William Hewitt, a man who lived in the same flats as her.

On May 17, Miss Chapman was in her flat when Baker arrived. Mr Hewitt was having a bath and words were exchanged. A row erupted, Mr Hewitt left and Baker then assaulted Miss Chapman with his fists and a chair leg.

It was suspected she was also attacked with a knife although the victim did not recollect that.

Miss Chapman suffered a broken rib, a penetrating wound deep into her muscle and a smaller such injury on her left knee which resulted in left side dropped foot due to muscle paralysis.

Mr Stuttard said Baker left the flat, locking the door behind him with his girlfriend still inside.

He was caught by Mr Hewitt who had gathered a group outside and asked Mr Hewitt: "Have you been having sex with Lee?" Police went to the complainant's home and at that stage she said she had been stabbed but now could not remember it. Baker, who had 74 previous convictions, later told officers he had given Miss Chapman a good hiding.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Baker accepted the injuries were horrific and that he would be going to jail.

He acknowledged he and Miss Chapman had a difficult relationship but he did not accept he had constantly abused her.

He had suffered injuries at Miss Chapman's hands.

Baker accepted drink was the basis of their relationship and both were very drunk at the time of the offence.

The barrister added the defendant had no recollection of using a knife.