A "MAN of violence" broke his girlfriend's nose - but she still wanted to be with him and had forgiven him.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Bailey, 23, who had previous convictions for wounding and wounding with intent, kicked his victim in the face while she was on the floor and then laid into her body.

Bailey, whose girlfriend was in court to support him, was jailed for two years.

Bailey, of Pennine Road, Bacup, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, theft and criminal damage and been committed for sentence by magistrates.

Nick Simmonds, prosecuting, said Bailey punched his girlfriend in the head, kicked her in the face, breaking her nose, and then kicked her several times about the body. On another occasion, he slapped her twice on the back of the head, threw her mobile telephone against a wall, and jumped on it.

Sarah Goodchild, defending, said Bailey was depressed after coming out of custody and losing his relationship and job. He turned to drugs but his life began to turn around when he met his girlfriend.

Because of the treatment he had received in his past relationship, jealousy and drugs, he had behaved in the way he did.

Bailey's girlfriend was standing by him and had forgiven him. He was able to go back to her home when he was released from custody.

The couple were hoping to move from Bacup and start a new life together.

Miss Goodchild added the defendant had asked to be remanded in custody by magistrates so he could withdraw from drugs.

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